Jessie At Home!

Sew fun!!

2012-02-14T16:03:00.000-05:00

Well, I guess it's going around. Yarrrn Club at InsaniTea was rather sparse on Sunday due to people being sick. It was just me, Jenn (yea!!!) and Jenn's daughter Katrina.

Ingrid acquired a new mug. I fell in love! It's even a little dimensional. 70's fun!

OK, bad shot of Jenn's pretty tea pot, but I'm sharing anyway!

Katrina thought the best part about our yarn day was spinning around and around in the orange chair. I swear this is the same chair I had in my dorm Freshman year of undergrad. My roommate Kelly and I bought a pair of them at a thrift shop called "the White Elephant" in Chicago. We pushed them down the streets for 5 blocks to get them to our dorm. We named them "Snuffle" and "Upagus"; 'cuz they were the same color as Snuffleupagus.

I just want to know how they got to Jersey...

Ingrid is just too cool. Her Mom found this teapot somewhere and got it for Ingrid's shop. Ingrid immediately new she had to stash it until I showed up, because I would be so sad if someone else bought it. This is the back, are you wondering why I needed it so bad?

Take a guess.

What do you think is on the front?

Come on, guess.

How well do you know me.

There's a hint in this posts title.

OK, I'll show you.

Isn't it just the greatest?!

OK, back to the hook. Gotta finish this pattern.

Oh, happy Valentines Day!!

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Finally got around to it.

2012-02-11T21:49:00.000-05:00

I've been debating starting a Facebook page to go with my Etsy store for a bit now, and I finally got around to it today. Take a look!

I have improved upon one of my old patterns. The Tea Cup Bunting pattern is now a stand alone Tea Cup.

It has so many more uses when it does not have to be made on a string, as the original did. It can be an applique for bags, scarves, even a fun little hat!

As you may remember, I am fond of making them into coasters.

Of course, I have included instructions withing the pattern on how to make them into bunting, also.

I changed the pattern layout to look more professional, and, well, pretty. I intend on doing so to all my old patterns. No worries, anyone who has bought a pattern from me in the past will receive the updated versions at no cost. It is simply the right thing, and good business.

Have a lovely weekend!

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Ahh~choo!!

2012-02-09T15:31:00.000-05:00

That's right. Everyone here has a nasty cold! So much so that my childhood security "blanket" was brought down from his perch on a high shelf in the girls room.

I though the girls could use some special Chewy love, and they both were very happy to finally have a chance to cuddle him!

A few days ago, before the colds were so bad none of us wanted to move, there was a play doh day. Vada made me a flower.

She was quite proud of it!

She also made me. Look at my big smile!

We also took a trip to the Stix~n~Stitches this past Friday. Kyla dressed up Lamby and brought her along, because sheep belong in the yarn store.

Just felt the need to share this pirate girl snap with you. Quite the cutie, isn't she?

Vada's coat is almost done. We had a little fitting the other day.

Vada had fun twirling around in it!

It still needs sleeves, a hood, and a hem.

Oh, and a zipper and belt.

Still fun to twill 'til you drop!

I have decided I am too scattered. In an attemped to have stock in my Etsy store, and stock at InsaniTea, I have gotten away from were I should be. I have some great patterns in the works and in my head, and I need to keep focused on that. My difficulty is in accepting the amount of time it takes to get a pattern to were I want it to be, and also in having a hard time finding the number of good testers I need, who are willing to test in exchange for the finished pattern, as I am not able to pay anything else. I wish I could, but as I can't, it leaves me to do a lot of testing myself. Though I have to say, I have found a few awesome testers, and when it gets to the point where I can pay, some of those I have already found will be the first to receive and offer.

So, basically, I am just trying to go one step at a time, and accept that I may only release one pattern a month, but they will be amazing patterns, and not like what is already out there!

All right, time to knit! Have a wonderful day!

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Getting my Ducks in a Row

2012-02-06T19:12:00.000-05:00

I really need to take a cue from my daughters.

I am working on the duck~row~thing. I just also have the short~attention~span~girl thing. And the busy~mommy thing. And the so~many~things~so~little~time thing...

Yup, still testing / working on this never~ending pattern. The pattern is great, it's just that I am making it for sizes baby to 5x adult, and fingering to chunky weight yarn. So it is 5 patterns (one for each yarn) each with 10ish sizes. Yup, lots of testing needed. I could still use a few more testers. Here are the details on that.

Here is a crochet version I made for my mannequin.

Vada's knit version.

Kyla's crochet. Have I shared these with you already? My brain is fuzzy...

Here is a skirt I made for Kyla about a year ago that I want to make a pattern for in the next few months.

This is Vada's. Same deal.

Here's a bit of a sneak peak at what I hope to start testing by next week. This is just the tiniest part.

Testing the Faerie Coat Pattern. I have a tester for 3/4, I am testing 5/6 for Vada (Kyla's was done months ago), and I could use a tester for 7~9 and 10~12. It's starting to look like I will be testing those myself, which means the 7~9 may be gifted to my niece, but the 10~12 would most likely end up in my Etsy store, for about $1200.00, considering the amount of time they take to make.

There you have it. I hope your lives are a little more "in a row" then mine! Though it is always interesting this way.

Have a great week, my friends.

Time to test the Faerie Coat!!

2012-01-30T08:45:00.000-05:00

I am looking for test knitters for the Faerie coat in child sizes 3/4 (21~23" chest), 7~9 (25~28" chest) and 10~12 (28~30" chest). For all the details, hop on over to this post.

28 years, or yesterday

2012-01-26T22:57:00.000-05:00

I've been spending too much time on Etsy. It has me thinking a lot about Vada ~ my grandmother, not my daughter. I saw a pair of earrings that she could have made tonight. Before I knew it, tears were falling. Sometimes it seems like just yesterday when she passed, not 28 years ago. I was so young, but so in love with her. There are just times in my life when her absence is so much more present. Times when I know she could guide me. Times when I need that kindred spirit.

I miss her.

Crochet the Week Away

2012-01-22T22:57:00.001-05:00

That's what I have done, in an attempt to get a few non~pattern items into my Etsy shop.

I am hopeful that once I get a decent inventory I will be able to contribute to our down payment fund

I haven't done much for advertising yet, I will think more on that once I have more to sell. I don't really want to spend money on the advertising, so I am going to have to get creative.

I've been enjoying crocheting the days away.

Though the motivation to get it done is a bit stressful.

I put a small inventory for sale at InsaniTea, also.

I do plan on getting back to the patterns on Wednesday.

The pattern I am working on right now is the faerie coat, and it should take a good week to finish making Vada's and editing the pattern as I go.

Then I still need to have it tested in the other sizes, which should take about a month (ugg).

At least once it is being tested I can go onto making my next pattern.

The pattern writing is taking longer then I would like, as I have to make every pattern at least once before I can start testing it, if i want the testing to go smoothly.

At least with the items that have various sizes I only have to make one size to get the pattern written, then I can rely on my yarn and math skills to get the other sizes down for testers.

I hope you have enjoyed the pictures of a few of this weeks creations. You can take a look at my Etsy store to see more.

Have a great week my friends!!

Oh No!!

2012-01-19T08:53:00.000-05:00

I have used all my picture storage!! 1023MB (1024MB = 1GB) of pictures on this blog. Wow, that's a lot. I just paid $5.00 (per year) to get an additional 20GB per year. So that should last for a few years ;^)

Anyway, it may take up to 24 hours for the storage to show, so I guess I'll try back later to post the snaps I wanted to share.

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Announcing!!!

2012-01-11T17:42:00.000-05:00

My Etsy shop opening!!

I hope to add more patterns soon. Maybe even some non~pattern creations, too!

I should go to bed.

2012-01-10T22:55:00.000-05:00

Really. Insomnia stinks. Think I have too much on my mind. Not bad, just too much I want to do. I should sleep so I can get up and get more done. Really. Sleep. Now.

Crochet Pattern Testers needed for my Wrap Top Skirt

2012-01-09T08:43:00.001-05:00

This crochet pattern test is for my Wrap Top Skirt. The pattern is in basically all sizes:
Sizes: Infant (Child, XS/S, S/M, M/L, L/XL, XXL, XXXL)
Fits waist: 16 (17~20, 21~24, 25~28, 29~32, 33~36, 37~40, 41~44) inches
The length can be as long as you want!

It is also written for Fingering, Sport, DK, Worsted and Chunky weight yarns. I am looking for one tester for each weight of yarn, and preferably the sizes made will also vary. I would like testers to be able to complete the skirt by February 15. If you are interested in being a tester for this pattern, please send me a message here on Ravelry letting me know what weight yarn and what size skirt you would like to test. You may also want to include any additional weight yarns you would be willing to test, in case your first choice is taken. I will accept testers on a first~come, first~serve basis.

Thank you
Jessie

Testing, testing, 123

2012-01-08T18:03:00.000-05:00

I have decided to focus!! I have so many knit and crochet designs floating around in my head, and I do have the skill to turn those designs into patterns. Every once and a while I write one up and put it up here and/or on Ravelry. Considering our current issues with coming up with over 10 grand for a down payment on a house, it seemed as though this might be the time to buckle down. Ravelry offers a great opportunity for me to find many talented yarnie folk who will test a pattern instead of paying money for one. I have started testing through my Yarrrn Club group over there. So far I have only started testing one, kind of as a testing test ;^)

This is the pattern that is currently being tested, in knit. Tomorrow morning I plan on starting testing the same pattern in crochet. If you are interested in being a tester, then send me a message on my Ravelry page. The pattern runs from 16" waist (infant) to 44" waist (XXXL), and includes 5 patterns, one each for fingering, sport, DK, worsted, and bulky weight yarn.

Here are a few others I plan on writing up patterns for soon.

My goal is to write and start testing 3~4 patterns every week. This way I can have a decent size inventory by the end of February.

Wish me luck!

Busy little me.

2012-01-06T23:13:00.000-05:00

This was a very handmade holiday. Lots of pirate~y hats for various little (and not so little) ones.

Though the gifts were done a couple weeks before Christmas, I still seemed to be quite busy.

We are currently running into many walls in our search for any financial assistance we can get to buy a house. The American Dream is starting to resemble just that...a dream.

But the hats are cute.

This is my favorite, for my beautiful young cousin, Sade.

I even made her matching fingerless gloves.

So one of the things keeping me so busy just before Christmas was Kyla's new coat.

I finished the day before Christmas.

I am working on Vada's now, and a pattern will be coming out with the completion of hers.

Kyla just loves her new coat that Mommy knitted for her.

This leads me to the subject of my next post (tomorrow hopefully), patterns! I have so many designs on scraps of paper here and there. I just wrote up one and started testing it this week. I have decided to get serious with this. I am going to get myself all set up and organized and try for one pattern every one or two days. Sketch them well, write them up, make a small mock up, and start the testing. I am finding testers over on Ravelry in my group, but I will also post up here with a link for each one when I am looking for testers. I will post them again here when they are done with a link to the pattern on Ravelry for sale. I will still keep my prices reasonable (at least I feel they are reasonable), I will not raise them just because we need a down payment for a house. It is my goal to be able to start posting the tested patterns for sale in the beginning of February, and to get my shop really going with a decent amount of inventory as quickly as possible. I think I will also sell the patterns on Etsy.

So that is my way to do what I can to help with $, but still be home with the girls, and still do what keeps me happy.

Wish me luck!

Gobble Gobble, Ho Ho Ho!!

2011-12-06T14:47:00.001-05:00

As usual, I'm a bit late in posting these pictures. We had a wonderful time visiting family in Beverly for Thanksgiving. So much fun in fact, that I frequently forgot to pick up the camera. Ooops. We stayed with my cousin Christine, who hosted a small Thanksgiving at her apartment. Afterwords Tom, her boyfriend, kicked everybody out of the kitchen so that he could clean it all up. Vada popped in and asked if she could help, and amazingly he said yes. I had to sneak in to take a picture of Vada carefully loading the dishwasher after Tom rinsed off the plates
.

Later Tom came into the living room to let us know there was another photo op. Vada was busily scrubbing out all of the pots. She is quite the little helper!

We have a very large family, my grandparents have 11 children. Over half of those children live in the Beverly area with their families, so you can imagine that's quite a few people. There tends to be lots of little-ish Thanksgivings happening in various houses, and then we all get together at one home for dessert. This year the dessert was at Christine's. Once again, I failed to pick up my camera most of the evening. However I did managed to remember my camera in time to take a picture of Doug and my Grampy bonding.

Christine's children were with their father on Wednesday and Thursday, so the girls used that time to make a mess of their room! They really enjoyed all of the wonderful toys that McKenna and Ashton had to play with.

As much fun as all those toys were to play with by themselves, Kyla and Vada were very happy when McKenna and Ashton finally arrived to play with them. There was of course lots of coloring...

There was also lots of playing with random toys and even hiding in closets.

McKenna tried to escape to the living room, but Vada was having none of that!

Cousin Ashton, as usual, was just plain silly! In all honesty, is quite the amazing little eight year old boy. He played very well with all the little girls.

The two favorite activities of all four children that weekend were hanging about on the top bunk and playing with Play-Doh! I'm thinking I'm going to have to buy more Play-Doh for my children, and maybe some of those nifty little toys that go along with it.

Well, that's all the Thanksgiving photos I have.

On another note, Vada has been trying so hard to learn how to twirl pasta and other noodles on her fork.

She's actually getting pretty good at it, though she does tend to put a little bit too much on her fork.

When we spend Thanksgiving in town, we put up all of our Christmas decorations over Thanksgiving weekend. Obviously that didn't happen this year. This Sunday morning seemed the perfect opportunity. Saturday evening Doug and I went through the boxes, put aside all of the ornaments and decorations and got the fake tree put together. I know, fake tree, blech , but in this tiny apartment it's really a good option. Once we have a home (soon I hope) we will have real trees again.

The girls were very happy when they got up Sunday morning and saw everything ready to decorate.

Even sitting on the little tote, the tree was short enough that they could almost reached the very top. They put up almost all of the decorations themselves, and had a very good time doing it.

As the girls decorated away, I happily enjoyed my cup of coffee in my forgotten about Christmas mug. It's always so fun every year to go through the Christmas box and find these little gems that have been packed away for eleven months.

In case you can't read it, it says "Mom's Kitchen, A Little Piece of Heaven". My lovely friend Stacy gave it to me for Christmas a few years ago.

Once all the decorations were on the tree, it was time for the angel on top. Vada was very happy about the angel, and had informed Daddy that he would have to pick her up. So, when the time came up, she went.

Of course, as soon as everything was done, the girls had to start pushing the buttons on all of the musical ornaments. How long do those batteries last anyway?

And, my friends, I leave you with this one last picture. Though there are quite a few doors in our little apartment, it was deemed necessary to put all of the door hangers on just one doorknob.

Happy holiday season to all of you! May peace and love abound.

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Photo Card

2011-11-28T21:11:00.001-05:00

Family Snowfall Holiday

To view our most popular holiday card designs, click here.

View the entire collection of cards.

I love my dragon!

2011-11-16T22:55:00.001-05:00

So I've been wanting a dragon for a year. I asked for one for Christmas last year, but they're kind of expensive. I know you're thinking, " where do you buy a dragon?" It's not that kind of a dragon. I'm talking about the talk to type computer program. You know, the one they advertise on TV around this time of year. Well, I found one really cheap on O.co, so I bought it for myself.

We're both still figuring each other out, so for the time being, it's not that much quicker than typing; however, I'm sure as we get to know each other, it will get faster. It's still tons of fun though!

Anyway, this past Sunday was the Yarrrn Club meeting at InsaniTea. I brought along lots of sock monkeys who needed eyes and mouths. As soon as they were able to see, they fell in love with the giant InsaniTea sock monkey, and had to go sit with him. They were very sad to leave, but they are looking forward to their new homes in Texas.

On Monday morning the girls saw the new additions to our sock monkey family and had to start the quality control. Vada just had to see how many she could hug at once.

Lately I've had a few projects in mind that combine crocheting and knitting.I found this great yarn on sale at the craft store. It was just calling out to me, "I want to be a turtle~neck~lace!"So had to buy it.

Isn't it pretty? I had a lot of fun making it. Yes, I did write a pattern. It will be on Ravelry. Once I get the link up, I'll let you know at the end of this post. I'm sure a little photo link will appear at the left side of your screen, also. It may be a week or two though, I have another one in mind and I think I want to put them both together in the same pattern.

On another note, I am thankful. Yes it's that time of year, and I finally have the reason I've been wanting to be thankful: we are spending Thanksgiving with my family in Boston! Ever since the girls were born, it's been hard to visit my family without having to get a hotel room. However, my lovely little cousin Christine recently moved into a new apartment. She has two kids, and has said that our girls can crash with her kids, and Doug and I can crash in her living room.I am really looking forward to seeing my family, and especially having some quality time with Christine! Of course, when I say my family I mean my extended family, as my parents and brother are too far away to drive to, and we are too broke to buy 4 plain tickets.

Well, my friends, that's it for now, or it. I'm hoping that I will be writing more, and now that I have my lovely dragon. I guess we'll see...

I'll talk to you soon.

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The pattern is up on Ravelry! I didn't wait for the other pattern, as I have a feeling it may just be a pretty drawing on a piece of paper for a while still.

Flower Faerie costume patterns

2011-11-12T20:11:00.000-05:00

Well, I have been home alone all day and have finally finished adding all the patterns and tutorials for the girl's flower faerie costumes. I am listing all the links here.

Bloom Hat~This was the first piece I made, Kyla's hat!

Upside Down Flower Hat

Faerie Wings

Bloom Skirt

Petal Skirt

Leg and Arm Warmers~I used a free pattern from Red Heart to make these arm and leg warmers. The pattern is just for the leg warmers, but I simply made it smaller for arm warmers.

There you have it. Links to all the parts of the Flower Faerie costumes I made for Kyla and Vada for Halloween. They loved them and I love that they can actually wear all the pieces (aside from the wings) on any given day.

I hope you enjoy the patterns!

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Faerie Wings Turtorial

2011-11-12T14:38:00.002-05:00

All righty friends, this is just a loose tutorial, not really a pattern. You kind of have to "wing it" ~ hee hee!

You will need:

2 wire coat hangers of equal size and shape

masking tape

5 yards plastic boning (some stores only sell this covered in white or black fabric)

about a foot of craft wire, 20 gauge or thicker

Sample was made with Bernat Softee Baby yarn in Garden Ombre

Start by hooking the two hangers together in the shape of wings.

Bend the hooks around the hangers to hold them in place. Mine wouldn’t bend quite enough so I ended up having to snip off the last inch.

Use masking tape to keep the hangers from slipping ~ the tape is not what will hold the finished wings together it is just there to keep everything together as you work.

Now snip the straight edge of the hangers in the middle. Bend the two halves that will be the top of the wings until they are almost in line with the hanger side ~ about 10~15 degrees off straight. Then bend the two bottom halves just a bit less then the top ~ about 45 degrees off straight. Or just bend them how you like for your wings. You can change the bends later.

We will now be making the two sets of wings, one side at a time ~ there is a top and bottom wing on each side. Cut the boning into two equal pieces. If it is covered in fabric, slide the fabric off. Tape one end of a piece of boning the outside of one of the hangers just above the neck of the hanger. Run the boning up the hanger (the top wing) taping as needed. Make sure to tape the boning around the cut end of the hanger so it does not catch on anything. With the other end of the same piece of boning, attach it the same way onto the other half of the same hanger (the bottom wing,) being careful not to twist the boning. The middle portion of the boning will make a large arc from the two cut ends of the hanger, making one big wing. Now grab that bit just below the middle of it, and fold it into the neck of the hanger, making the one big wing into two. Adjust as you see fit, then tape it into place. Tape the top and bottom wing together for a few inches. Repeat on the other side. The wings will not be the exact shape you want for your finished product, but don’t worry; that will come after the wrapping.

Now it’s time to wrap the wing. Grab some movies and a drink, this will take a while. Wrap as much yarn as you feel comfortable with around a shuttle. You could also use one of those embroidery thread cards. Tie the yarn around the wings at the neck of one of the hangers to get started.

Wrap the yarn around the wing, and pull the yarn through the loop, this will create a little locking stitch. Keep doing this until you have wrapped the entire piece. You will have to refill your shuttle quite a few times. You can just knot the ends together, and then use a yarn needle to run the ends inside the wrapping when you are done.

You may want to reinforce the areas where the top and bottom wings connect for extra stability.

Now it's time to shape the points of the wings. The points of each of the 4 wings will be where the hanger ends.

On the two bottom wings pinch the points together, so the cut end of the hanger is at the point. Stitch the points together for 1/2 to 1". Do this by sewing through the ridge of your wrapping, and then wrapping around the joined edge for extra stability.

Cut wire to about 6~8", bend it into a teardrop shape, and twist bottom 1/2~3/4" together.

Thread your needle with as long a strand of yarn as you feel comfortable using. Pinch and sew the top wing points as you did for the bottom wings, only catch the twisted section of your teardrop as you work.

Next sew down through the teardrop and back up through the point a few times. This will secure the teardrop to the top of the wing.

Now wrap the teardrops as you did the wings, using the thread on your needle. You are *finally* done wrapping! Don't worry if the wings are a bit lopsided, you can adjust them as you see fit later.

Now to make them stay on your faerie's back! I cut two large leaves from some green furry fleece. Place them under the wings, with the points aiming slightly down. Slit the top leaf in line with the center (neck parts) of the wings. Pull the top leaf up over the center sections of the wings.

Use a steel hook with a point on the end to crochet the slit back together.

You will have to forgive the lack of photos from this point. Halloween was quickly approaching and I became desperate to finish! At this point, using the same crochet hook, single crochet around the leaves. Add a second row of single crochet, making two single crochets one space as needed when working around the turns. Add on four straps, one on each point of the leaves to wrap around the high waist, and one at the each of the two points where the top wings come out of the leaves, to wrap over the shoulders.

As you can see, I added a large flat flower to the center back, it just seemed to need something. You can bend the wings as you see fit.

I hope this is understandable enough for you to make your own fun faerie wings. Enjoy!!

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Just monkeying around

2011-11-11T10:39:00.000-05:00

Lots of monkeying around here lately. We are working on sock monkeys for Craft Hope's current project. These little guys will be going to children who lost their homes in the Texas wildfires.

Our contribution started out with these 4 cute little girls.

We bought many socks from various dollar stores. We aren't exactly swimming in money, so I always attempt to keep the cost of my craft hope contributions down. Plus the less it costs, the more I can make!

There have been monkey parts everywhere ever since Halloween.

Piles all around, not to mention all the yarnie bits to make them fun accessories.

Oh, about Halloween...The girls each got $5 in the cards their Nana and Poppy sent them. So on Friday (which was our Trick or Treat night due to the storm delay), we stopped at the craft store and they each chose 5 $1 crafts.

I had to ration the crafting so the pile of crafty goodness lasted through the whole weekend. They really enjoyed it all!

The other day, Kyla ended up in her room crying for some reason I don't remember. Doug went in to talk to her, and Vada just had to know what was going on. She sat at the door and listened intently! It was really rather cute.

Later the same day, Kyla was playing kitty~cat. Vada loves her pet very much, and likes to let the cat curl up on her lap.

Well, that's it for now. I will be home alone all day on Saturday, and am hopping I will be able to get all the various patterns and tutorials from the flower faerie costumes finished and up here and on Ravelry.

Hope you all have a lovely weekend!

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Flower Faeries!!

2011-11-05T11:45:00.001-04:00

The Flower Faeries are here!!

Last Friday was our town's Halloween party.

The faeries were very excited about it! So much so that we got there a bit early.

So...up we went to the playground next to the parks & rec building.

"Can we play yet?"

Wings weren't conducive to playground time, so they were left off for a bit.

Look at me!!

Yes, they both climbed this massive wall. Crazy faeries!

Finally we were off to the party.

So much to look at!

What to do first?

Ahhh!! Pumpkin ice cream!

Ice cream always makes a few minutes of peace.

Of course, there were faerie fotos to be taken for the local paper.

Donuts on a string. How fun!

Kyla had a problem with the "no hands" bit.

Eventually we all headed outside to wait in line for the hay ride.

Well, Mommy Pirate waited in line. Daddy Pirate was busy being attacked by faeries.

Their first hayride.

Lots of hay everywhere.

The girls had a great time!

Yes, there will be some free tutorials for parts of the costumes, and purchasable patterns for other parts. If you take a gander at the left side of your screen you will see photo links for Kyla's hat tutorial and Vada's skirt pattern. That is also where the rest will be linked as I get them typed up.

I hope you all had a wonderful Halloween, and that those of you who were also in the fall snow path have your power, heat and water! Have a great weekend, my friends!

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Things I meant to share.

2011-11-03T14:25:00.000-04:00

I've found some snaps from about 2 weeks ago I meant to share with you. First were a few from the last Yarrn Club meeting at InsaniTea.

Dot and Katrina came along for the first half hour or so. The played at the checkers table.

Wren worked on a very pretty pair of lacy socks.

We decided Ingrid must have had a late night on Saturday, as she had left the keys in the door!

I was quite fond of my tea pot and tea cup choice. I love picking from the selection every time I go to InsaniTea!

Last week Vada decided that she needed to fix Kyla's hair.

Lots of clips to put in!

Kyla says "Aren't I pretty?" Actually I think she was just too tired and sick with a cold to make Vada stop.

Vada also took some time to draw a stegosaurus. She was quite proud of herself.

Well, that's about it for now. I have to get back to my piles of monkey parts. I'll take some snaps to share with you later. Our trick or treat night is delayed until tomorrow, due to the snow last weekend, so I'll post lots of fun flower faerie snaps this weekend.

Stay warm!

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Powerful Powerless Lessons

2011-10-31T14:31:00.001-04:00

So it snowed Saturday morning/afternoon. Umm...isn't it October. Who ever heard of a white Halloween? It was a bit odd. I had already told the girls we would go to the grocery for their Trick or Treating at noon, so we ran out to the car and braved the oddness.

About 3:30, Doug and I were playing with the girls in their room, and the power went out. It soon became clear it was going to stay out for quite a while.

The girls informed Doug that they wanted to "Throw snowballs at Daddy!", so they all bundled up and out they went. I stayed in and made dinner. Yet another reason I am fond of my gas stove!

Aren't the girls so cute all bundled up to play? Vada in her snow boots 4 sizes too big, and Kyla in her Wellies 2 sizes too big? We hadn't bought them snow boots yet this year, so Doug had to scavenge through the still~too~big hand~me~down pile. Luckly he found these two pair so the girls could play without frozen toesies!

After dinner we Vada handed Doug the shadow puppet book she got him for Father's Day and told him she wanted to make shadow puppets with the candles. We had to explain the candles didn't work that well for shadow puppets. However, I found a few flashlights and many fun animals were made!

Then I remembered we had glow sticks. I popped open a tube and much fun was had! They also worked well for nightlights to light the way to the bathroom once bedtime arrived.

Sunday morning, still no power. I started to realize just how much time I spend on the computer every day. I realized how much of that time was wasted time. Not my time with you, my blogland friends, but plenty of other time. I decided I needed to make myself a routine, and I needed to include less computer time in that routine. This way I will have more time to do all my housework~type chores, and more time to spend in craftie, yarnie, sewie fun!

As you can see above, the girls and I had some needlepoint fun together. They love "making something!" Less computer time equals more making something time.

Later the girls and I grabbed the tube from the glow sticks, and the tube from the plastic wrap that was just finished. We closed an end, tossed in some rice, and closed the other end.

The girls then colored some paper to decorate the tubes.

Here is Vada's finished "Shake~shake."

Here is Kyla's. They just love them. Lots of fun has been had.

Amazingly, that 99 cent tube of glow sticks was a really good investment. They were still glowing Sunday night!

Sometime during the night the power came back on. Let's see how I do with a routine. I am rather humbled/annoyed with myself/ashamed that I have to limit my computer time. I have decided I can spend time in blogland, on facebook, and doing whatever on the computer during the girls naptime, and in the evening after dinner when Doug likes to just relax on the couch and watch TV. The rest of the day I can only open the laptop if it is for something necessary like bill paying, finding the current Craft Hope pattern, house hunting, or so on. It shouldn't be a problem, I'm just rather annoyed with myself at how much time I was wasting just bouncing around facebook, and playing games. Everything in moderation, right?

Well, I want to hop on over to Ravelry before the girl's nap is over, and then I have to jump back into Monkey Land (more on that later), so I will share more with you tomorrow. I'm thinking either and overdue finished project post, or maybe some Flower Faeries!

Happy Halloween!

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Granny Sampler CAL ~ Day 51 ~ LAST DAY!!!!!

2011-10-27T07:08:00.001-04:00

Day 51 ~ Thursday, Oct 27th

Link to main Granny Sampler CAL page.

Link to forum to ask questions, make suggestions, or just chit~chat about this CAL.

Border, Rnd 27 (1 color)

Rnd 27: Attach next color in ch 2 sp of previous rnd, ch, * (3sc, ch3, sl st in top of sc just made, 3sc, ch3, sl st in top of sc just made) in corner sp, (sc in each of next 3dc, sc in space between 3dc groups, ch3, sl st in top of sc just made) until corner is reached, rep from * 3 more times; join with sl st to beg sc. End off.

Granny Sampler CAL ~ Day 50

2011-10-26T07:05:00.003-04:00

Day 50 ~ Wednesday, Oct 26th

Link to main Granny Sampler CAL page.

Link to forum to ask questions, make suggestions, or just chit~chat about this CAL.

Border, Rnds 25&26 (2 colors)

Rnd 25: Attach next color in ch 2 sp of previous rnd, (ch 3, 2dc, ch 2, 3dc), in same sp, * 3dc between each 3dc group, ** (3dc, ch 2, 3dc) in corner; rep from * 2 times, and then rep from * to ** once more; join with sl st to top of beg ch 3. End off. (61 groups of 3dc across top and bottom, 71 groups of 3dc down sides)

Rnd 26: Attach next color in ch 2 sp of previous rnd, (ch 3, 2dc, ch 2, 3dc), in same sp, * 3dc between each 3dc group, ** (3dc, ch 2, 3dc) in corner; rep from * 2 times, and then rep from * to ** once more; join with sl st to top of beg ch 3. End off. (62 groups of 3dc across top and bottom, 72 groups of 3dc down sides)

Granny Sampler CAL ~ Day 49

2011-10-25T06:02:00.006-04:00

Day 49 ~ Tuesday, Oct 25nd

Link to main Granny Sampler CAL page.

Link to forum to ask questions, make suggestions, or just chit~chat about this CAL.

Border, Rnds 23&24 (2 colors)

Rnd 23: Attach next color in ch 2 sp of previous rnd, (ch 3, 2dc, ch 2, 3dc), in same sp, * 3dc between each 3dc group, ** (3dc, ch 2, 3dc) in corner; rep from * 2 times, and then rep from * to ** once more; join with sl st to top of beg ch 3. End off. (61 groups of 3dc across top and bottom, 71 groups of 3dc down sides)

Rnd 24: Attach next color in ch 2 sp of previous rnd, (ch 3, 2dc, ch 2, 3dc), in same sp, * 3dc between each 3dc group, ** (3dc, ch 2, 3dc) in corner; rep from * 2 times, and then rep from * to ** once more; join with sl st to top of beg ch 3. End off. (62 groups of 3dc across top and bottom, 72 groups of 3dc down sides)

Granny Sampler CAL ~ Day 48

2011-10-24T09:55:00.001-04:00

Day 48 ~ Monday, Oct 24nd

Link to main Granny Sampler CAL page.

Link to forum to ask questions, make suggestions, or just chit~chat about this CAL.

Border, Rnds 21&22 (2 colors)

Rnd 21: Attach next color in ch 2 sp of previous rnd, (ch 3, 2dc, ch 2, 3dc), in same sp, * 3dc between each 3dc group, ** (3dc, ch 2, 3dc) in corner; rep from * 2 times, and then rep from * to ** once more; join with sl st to top of beg ch 3. End off. (61 groups of 3dc across top and bottom, 71 groups of 3dc down sides)

Rnd 22: Attach next color in ch 2 sp of previous rnd, (ch 3, 2dc, ch 2, 3dc), in same sp, * 3dc between each 3dc group, ** (3dc, ch 2, 3dc) in corner; rep from * 2 times, and then rep from * to ** once more; join with sl st to top of beg ch 3. End off. (62 groups of 3dc across top and bottom, 72 groups of 3dc down sides)

Granny Sampler CAL ~ Day 47

2011-10-22T04:21:00.001-04:00

Day 47 ~ Saturday, Oct 22nd

Link to main Granny Sampler CAL page.

Link to forum to ask questions, make suggestions, or just chit~chat about this CAL.

Border, Rnds 19&20 (2 colors)

Rnd 19: Attach next color in ch 2 sp of previous rnd, (ch 3, 2dc, ch 2, 3dc), in same sp, * 3dc between each 3dc group, ** (3dc, ch 2, 3dc) in corner; rep from * 2 times, and then rep from * to ** once more; join with sl st to top of beg ch 3. End off. (61 groups of 3dc across top and bottom, 71 groups of 3dc down sides)

Rnd 20: Attach next color in ch 2 sp of previous rnd, (ch 3, 2dc, ch 2, 3dc), in same sp, * 3dc between each 3dc group, ** (3dc, ch 2, 3dc) in corner; rep from * 2 times, and then rep from * to ** once more; join with sl st to top of beg ch 3. End off. (62 groups of 3dc across top and bottom, 72 groups of 3dc down sides)

Granny Sampler CAL ~ Day 46

2011-10-21T08:42:00.001-04:00

Day 46 ~ Friday, Oct 21th

Link to main Granny Sampler CAL page.

Link to forum to ask questions, make suggestions, or just chit~chat about this CAL.

Border, Rnds 17&18 (2 colors)

Rnd 17: Attach next color in ch 2 sp of previous rnd, (ch 3, 2dc, ch 2, 3dc), in same sp, * 3dc between each 3dc group, ** (3dc, ch 2, 3dc) in corner; rep from * 2 times, and then rep from * to ** once more; join with sl st to top of beg ch 3. End off. (59 groups of 3dc across top and bottom, 69 groups of 3dc down sides)

Rnd 18: Attach next color in ch 2 sp of previous rnd, (ch 3, 2dc, ch 2, 3dc), in same sp, * 3dc between each 3dc group, ** (3dc, ch 2, 3dc) in corner; rep from * 2 times, and then rep from * to ** once more; join with sl st to top of beg ch 3. End off. (60 groups of 3dc across top and bottom, 70 groups of 3dc down sides)

Granny Sampler CAL ~ Day 45

2011-10-20T02:34:00.001-04:00

Day 45 ~ Thursday, Oct 20th

Link to main Granny Sampler CAL page.

Link to forum to ask questions, make suggestions, or just chit~chat about this CAL.

Border, Rnds 15&16 (2 colors)

Rnd 15: Attach next color in ch 2 sp of previous rnd, (ch 3, 2dc, ch 2, 3dc), in same sp, * sk 4, 3dc in next st (sk 2hdc, 3dc in next st) until 4sts remain, ** (3dc, ch 2, 3dc) in corner; rep from * 2 times, and then rep from * to ** once more; join with sl st to top of beg ch 3. End off. (57 groups of 3dc across top and bottom, 67 groups of 3dc down sides)

Rnd 16: Attach next color in ch 2 sp of previous rnd, (ch 3, 2dc, ch 2, 3dc), in same sp, * 3dc between each 3dc group, ** (3dc, ch 2, 3dc) in corner; rep from * 2 times, and then rep from * to ** once more; join with sl st to top of beg ch 3. End off. (58 groups of 3dc across top and bottom, 68 groups of 3dc down sides)

Granny Sampler CAL ~ Day 44

2011-10-19T20:33:00.003-04:00

Day 44 ~ Wednesday, October 19th

Link to main Granny Sampler CAL page.

Link to forum to ask questions, make suggestions, or just chit~chat about this CAL.

Border, Rnds 13&14 (2 colors)

Rnd 13: Attach next color in ch 2 sp of previous rnd, ch (sc, ch 2, sc), in corner sp, * sc in each sc along edge, ** (sc, ch 2, sc) in corner; rep from * 3 more times; join with sl st to beg sc. End off.

Rnd 14: Attach next color in ch 2 sp of previous rnd, ch (sc, ch 2, sc), in corner sp, * sc in each sc along edge, ** (sc, ch 2, sc) in corner; rep from * 3 more times; join with sl st to beg sc. End off. (223sc x 253sc)

Granny Sampler CAL ~ Day 43

2011-10-18T04:29:00.002-04:00

Day 43 ~ Tuesday, October 18th

Link to main Granny Sampler CAL page.

Link to forum to ask questions, make suggestions, or just chit~chat about this CAL.

Border, Rnds 11&12 (2 colors)

Rnd 11: Attach next color in ch 2 sp of previous rnd, ch (sc, ch 2, sc), in corner sp, * sc in each sc along edge, ** (sc, ch 2, sc) in corner; rep from * 3 more times; join with sl st to beg sc. End off.

Rnd 12: Attach next color in ch 2 sp of previous rnd, ch (sc, ch 2, sc), in corner sp, * sc in each sc along edge, ** (sc, ch 2, sc) in corner; rep from * 3 more times; join with sl st to beg sc. End off. (219sc x 249sc)

Granny Sampler CAL ~ Day 42

2011-10-17T04:21:00.001-04:00

Day 42 ~ Monday, October 17th

Link to main Granny Sampler CAL page.

Link to forum to ask questions, make suggestions, or just chit~chat about this CAL.

Border, Rnds 9&10 (2 colors)

Rnd 9: Attach next color in ch 2 sp of previous rnd, ch, * (sc, ch2, sc) in corner sp, * (sc in each of next 3dc, sc in space between 3dc groups) until corner is reached, rep from * 3 more times; join with sl st to beg sc. End off.

Rnd 10: Attach next color in ch 2 sp of previous rnd, ch (sc, ch 2, sc), in corner sp, * sc in each sc along edge, ** (sc, ch 2, sc) in corner; rep from * 3 more times; join with sl st to beg sc. End off. (215sc x 245sc)

Granny Sampler CAL ~ Day off

2011-10-16T00:27:00.000-04:00

That's right; it's Sunday and it's Doug's birthday, and I need a break, soo...Day Off!!

We are almost done, yea!

Granny Sampler CAL ~ Day 41

2011-10-15T03:05:00.002-04:00

Day 41 ~ Saturday, October 15th

Link to main Granny Sampler CAL page.

Link to forum to ask questions, make suggestions, or just chit~chat about this CAL.

Border, Rounds 7&8 (2 colors)

Rnd 7: Attach next color in ch 2 sp of previous rnd, (ch 3, 2dc, ch 2, 3dc), in same sp, * sk 4, 3dc in next st (sk 2hdc, 3dc in next st) until 4sts remain, ** (3dc, ch 2, 3dc) in corner; rep from * 2 times, and then rep from * to ** once more; join with sl st to top of beg ch 3. End off. (52 groups of 3dc across top and bottom, 62 groups of 3dc down sides)

Rnd 8: Attach next color in ch 2 sp of previous rnd, (ch 3, 2dc, ch 2, 3dc), in same sp, * 3dc between each 3dc group, ** (3dc, ch 2, 3dc) in corner; rep from * 2 times, and then rep from * to ** once more; join with sl st to top of beg ch 3. End off. (53 groups of 3dc across top and bottom, 63 groups of 3dc down sides)

So much to do, so little time

2011-10-14T11:09:00.002-04:00

Honestly, since I left the theater, I don't think I've understood this phrase as much as I do right now. Somehow I have forgotten how many hours there are in a day and have just taken on a bit too much. I guess that is the downfall of finally having a handle on my MDD for the first time in quite a few years. Guess I will have to learn about restraint again. ;^)

As you've seen here, I have the Granny Sampler Blanket to finish up. I am only a few days ahead of the posts, and I just had to frog a bit, as I made a rather large oops on the boarder. I hope to be done with the blanket and pre~writing the rest of the posts for it by the end of the weekend.

On top of the WiPs I had already going on, a few weeks ago my sister~in~law called to say there would be a baby show for our niece on the 9th (last weekend). That's right, do the math, I'm going to be a great aunt. Our niece's mother is Doug's older sister from his father's first marriage, so I don't feel quite as old, but it is still a bit of an odd feeling. Then again, I have an uncle who is 5 months younger then me, so I guess I should just chill a bit.

Erin upcoming arrival did finally give me the excuse to create a knit chart I have been wanting to make for quite a bit. I even found the time to pdf it so I can put it up for sale in my little store.

It's just $1.50 for the chart. Isn't the bow adorable? It is the Pin Up Girl Bow by Heather Pierce. I'm going to have to make a few with some other yarns for hair clips for the girls.

I recently found this forgotten bit in a box. It will stay in it's sleeveless state until after Halloween. There just isn't enough time.

Before Halloween arrives there are faerie wings and things to make.

There are bi~monthly Yarrn Club meeting to attend.

There are walks in the park, library story times, and friends at the playground who want to play. Even new friends for Mommy, who enjoy watching their littles play train down the slide with my littles.

Yup, it's fall. The weather has no consistency. We went off to the warehouse club on the 3rd and it was rather cold!

Just to freak me out even more about how much needs to be done soon, the store was nice enough to have Christmas out.

The nicest part about long trips to the warehouse club is it really wipes out the girls...

...Which gives me a few moments to relax.

Even with everything that I need to get done, the girls and I still do our best to find quality time together.

And sometimes a little something happens to take me away, even for just a small time. The other day a box arrived from Germany (where Mom & Dad are currently stationed).

It was full of goodies!

Cute hair clips the girls and I have already worn a few times. Bookmarks I'm sure came from when they were stationed in Japan. A bag of chocolate Euros! How fun is that? I was so amused by the Euros, especially the cute rectangular guys. Some hazelnut waffers, and some jelly cow fruit snacks. The girls love the cows, but they only get one at a time, as I am sure they are very bad for teeth and full of sugar.

Then of course there are still so many bits an pieces of the flower faerie costumes. As I think I have told you before, I would love it if all the pieces are wearable outside of being a costume. With the exception of the wings, obviously.

OK, back to work for me.

Have a wonderful weekend, my friends. I hope we all find a bit of time to relax.

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Granny Sampler CAL ~ Day 40

2011-10-14T03:03:00.004-04:00

Day 40 ~ Friday, October 14th

Link to main Granny Sampler CAL page.

Link to forum to ask questions, make suggestions, or just chit~chat about this CAL.

Border, Rounds 5&6 (2 colors)

Rnd 5: Attach next color in ch 2 corner sp of previous rnd, ch (sc, ch 2, sc), in same sp, * sc in each sc along edge, ** (sc, ch 2, sc) in corner; rep from * 2 times, and then rep from * to ** once more; join with sl st to top of beg sc. End off.

Rnd 6: Attach next color in ch 2 sp of previous rnd, (ch 3, hdc), in same sp, * hdc in each sc along edge, ** (hdc, ch 2, hdc) in corner; rep from * 2 times, and then rep from * to ** once more; join with sl st to 2nd of beg ch 3. End off. (204hdc x 234hdc)

Granny Sampler CAL ~ Day 39

2011-10-13T02:51:00.006-04:00

Day 39 ~ Thursday, October 13th

Link to main Granny Sampler CAL page.

Link to forum to ask questions, make suggestions, or just chit~chat about this CAL.

Border, Rnds 3&4 (2 colors)

Rnd 3: Attach next color in ch 2 sp of previous rnd, (ch 3, hdc), in same sp, * (hdc in next 3dc, hdc in space between 3dc groups) until corner is reached, ** (hdc, ch 2, hdc) in corner; rep from * 2 times, and then rep from * to ** once more; join with sl st to top of beg ch 2. End off.

Rnd 4: Attach next color in ch 2 sp of previous rnd, ch (sc, ch 2, sc), in same sp, * sc in each hdc along edge, ** (sc, ch 2, sc) in corner; rep from * 2 times, and then rep from * to ** once more; join with sl st to top of beg sc. End off. (197sc x 227sc)

Granny Sampler CAL ~ Day 38

2011-10-12T02:36:00.004-04:00

Day 38 ~ Wednesday, October 12th

Link to main Granny Sampler CAL page.

Link to forum to ask questions, make suggestions, or just chit~chat about this CAL.

Border, Rounds 1&2 (2 colors) This is the done the same as the first two inner border rounds done on day 12.

Rnd 1: Attach first color in ch 2 corner sp of blanket, (ch 3, 2dc, ch 2, 3dc), in same sp, * 3dc between each 3dc group, ** (3dc, ch 2, 3dc) in corner; rep from * 2 times, and then rep from * to ** once more; join with sl st to top of beg ch 3. End off. When working sides there will be joins of various squares to work over. At these joins, work 3dc as follows: dc in ch sp corner of first square, dc around chs of both square corners, dc in ch sp corner of second square. (47 groups of 3dc across top and bottom, 57 groups of 3dc down sides)

Granny Sampler CAL ~ Day 37

2011-10-11T04:10:00.003-04:00

Day 37 ~ Tuesday, October 11th

Link to main Granny Sampler CAL page.

Link to forum to ask questions, make suggestions, or just chit~chat about this CAL.

Star Motif B~4 (6 colors)

Basic star square: With first color, ch 3 sl st to 1st ch to form ring, ch 1.

Rnd 1: * Sc in center of ring, ch 4, sc in bottom loop of 2nd ch from hook. Sc in bottom loop of each of next 2 ch sts, rep from * 4 more times (5 spoke center); join with sl st to beg sc. End off.

Rnd 2: Attach second color in center top st of any spoke, ch, sc in same sp, * sk next 3 sc, (trc, dc, trc) in next sc, sc in top of next spoke, rep from * around; join with sl st to beg sc. End off.

Rnd 3: Attach third color in any sc, * sk next st (hdc, dc, trc, ch, trc, dc, hdc) in top of next st, sk next st, sl st in top of next st, rep from * around; join with sl st to beg st. End off.

Rnd 4: Attach fourth color in ch 1 back loop st at any star point. * sk next 3 sts, (trc, 2dc, hdc, 2dc, trc) in next st, sk next 3 sts, sl st in back loop of ch 1 point, rep from * around, join with sl st to beg st. End off.

Rnd 5: Attach fifth color to any sl st, ch4, trc in same st, ch2, * 2trc in next st, dc in next st, hdc in next st, 2sc in next st, sc in each of next 2sts, 2sc in next st, hdc in next st, dc in next st, ** 2trc in next st, ch 2, rep from * 2 more times then from * to ** one more time; join with sl st to top of beg ch4. End off.14

Rnd 6: Attach second color in ch2 corner sp, ch3, (2dc, ch2, 3dc) in same sp, * dc in next 14 sts, ** (3dc, ch2, 3dc) in next ch2 sp, rep from * 2 more times, then from * to ** 1 more time; join with a sl st to top of beg ch3. (20dc each edge) End off.

Rnd 7: Attach third color in ch2 corner sp, ch4, (dc, ch2, dc, ch, dc) in same sp, * (ch, sk a st, dc) 10 times, ch, ** (dc, ch, dc, ch2, dc, ch, dc) in next ch2 sp, rep from * 2 more times, then from * to ** 1 more time; join with a sl st to 3rd ch of beg ch4. End off.

Rnd 8: Attach fourth color in ch2 corner sp, ch4, (dc, ch2, dc, ch, dc) in same sp, * (ch, dc in next ch sp) 12 times, ch, ** (dc, ch, dc, ch2, dc, ch, dc) in next ch2 sp, rep from * 2 more times, then from * to ** 1 more time; join with a sl st to 3rd ch of beg ch4. End off.

Rnd 9: Attach fifth color in any ch2 corner sp, (ch3, dc, ch2, 2dc) in same sp, * 2dc in each ch sp across edge, (2dc, ch 2, 2dc) in corner, rep from * 2 more times, then from * to ** 1 more time; join with a sl st to top of beg ch 3. (36dc each side)

Rnd 10 is your joining round. Join square to top of day 36 square, and left of day 15 square.
Rnd 10: Attach sixth color in any corner sp, (ch3, 2dc, ch2, 3dc) in same sp, * 3dc every 4th st, ** (3dc, ch 2, 3dc) in corner, rep from * 2 more times, then from * to ** 1 more time; join with a sl st to top of beg ch 3. (10 3dc groups each side) End off.

Block work.

Granny Sampler CAL ~ Day 36

2011-10-10T07:33:00.003-04:00

Day 36 ~ Monday, October 10th

Link to main Granny Sampler CAL page.

Link to forum to ask questions, make suggestions, or just chit~chat about this CAL.

Circle Motif, E~4 (7 colors)

With first color, ch 4, sl st in 1st ch to form a ring.

Rnd 1: Ch, work 12 sc in center of ring; join with sl st to beg sc. Do not end off.

Rnd 2: Ch 3, (counts as 1st dc), 2dc in same sp, ch * sk next sc, 3dc in next sc, ch, rep from * 4 more times, (6 groups of 3dc). Do not end off.

Rnd 3: Work sl st in top of next dc, ch3, dc in same st, ch, * skip next dc, 2dc in next ch sp, ch, ** skip next dc, 2dc in next dc, rep from * 4 more times, then from * to ** one more time (12 groups of 2dc), ch; join with sl st to top of beg ch3. Do not end off.

Rnd 4: Work sl st to ch sp. Ch3, (counts as 1st dc), 2dc in same sp, * ch, 3dc in next ch sp, rep from * 10 more times, ch, join with sl st to top of beg ch3. End off.

Rnd 5: Attach second color in any ch sp. Ch3, (counts as 1st dc), 2dc in same sp, * ch, 3dc in next ch sp, ch, (3trc, ch2, 3trc) in next ch sp, ch, ** 3dc in next ch sp, rep from * 2 more times, then from * to ** once more; join to top of beg ch3. End off.

Rnd 6: Attach third color in ch2 corner, ch, * (2sc, ch2, 2sc) in corner sp, sc across next 15sts, rep from *3 more times; join with sl st to first sc. End off. (19sc each side)

Rnd 7: Attach fourth color in ch2 corner. Ch2 (counts as hdc) (hdc, ch2, 2hdc) in corner sp, * hdc sc across next 19sts, ** (2hdc, ch2, 2hdc) in corner sp, rep from * 2 more times then from * to ** once more; join with sl st to top of beg ch2. End off. (23hdc each side)

Rnd 6: Attach fifth color in corner, (ch3, 2dc, ch2 3dc) in corner, * 3dc in every 4th st along edge, ** (3dc, ch2, 2dc) in corner, rep from * 2 more times and then from * to ** one more time, End off. (7 groups of 3dc on each side)

Rnd 9 is your joining round, join into corner created by blanket center and day 35 square.
Rnd 7~9: Attach next color in a ch 2 corner sp, ch 3 (counts as first dc), (2dc, ch 2, 3dc) in same corner, 3dc in between each 3dc group along edge and (3dc, ch 2, 3dc) in each corner; join with sl st to beg dc. End off.

Block work.

Granny Sampler CAL ~ Day 35

2011-10-09T04:00:00.002-04:00

Day 35 ~ Sunday, October 9th

Link to main Granny Sampler CAL page.

Link to forum to ask questions, make suggestions, or just chit~chat about this CAL.

Circle Motif, E~5 ( colors)

With first color, ch 4, sl st in 1st ch to form a ring.

Rnd 1: Ch 3, (counts as 1st dc), work 11 sc in center of ring; join with sl st to beg sc. Do not end off.

Rnd 2: Ch 3, (counts as 1st dc), 2dc in same sp, * 3dc in each of next 11dc (12 groups of 3dc), join with sl st to top of beg ch3. End off.

Rnd 3: Attach second color in any dc. Ch, sc in same st, sc in next st * sc over next st and into dc in rnd 1, ** sc in next 2sts, rep from * 10 more times, then from * to ** one more time; join with sl st to first sc. End off.

Rnd 4: Attach third color to a sc that goes through to rnd 2, ch3, dc in same sp, * dc in each of next 2 sc, 2dc in next sc, rep from * around until round is done, sl st to top of beg ch3. (48 dc) End off.

Rnd 5: Attach second color in any dc. Ch4, 2trc in same st, * 2dc, hdc, 4sc, hdc, 2dc, 3trc in next st, ch3, ** 3trc in next st, rep from * 2 more times then from * to ** one more time; join with sl st to top of beg ch4. (16sts each side) End off.

Rnd 6: Attach fourth color in a ch 2 corner sp, ch, * (sc, ch2, 3sc, ch2, sc) in corner, 16sc along edge, ch, rep from * 3 more times; join with sl st to first sc. End off.

Corners: Attach fifth color to last sc in a corner sp, ch, work sc in same st, and in each sc across to ch sp (18sc), ch, turn * decrease 1sc, sc in each st across, decreasing 1sc in last st, ch, turn, rep from * until 2 sts remain, ch, turn, decrease rem 2 sts together. End off. Repeat on opposite side with same color, then on remaining two sides with two more new colors.

Rnd 7: Attach fourth color to any corner point. Ch 3 (counts as first dc), (2dc, ch 2, 3dc) in same sp, * work 2 sets of 3dc evenly across side of same corner, 3dc in each of next ch2 sps, work 3 sets of 3dc evenly across side of next corner ** (3dc, ch2, 3dc) in corner point, rep from * 2 more times, then from * to ** one more time, sl st to top of beg ch 3. End off.

Rnd 8: Attach fifth color, in any ch2 corner, (ch 3, 2dc, ch2, 3dc), * 3dc between each 3dc group, ** (3dc, ch2, 3dc) in ch2 corner rep from * 2 more times and then from * to ** one more time; join with sl st to top of ch 3. End off.

Rnd 9 is your joining rnd, join in the corner created by blanket center and day 34 square.
Rnd 9: Attach fourth color, in any ch2 corner, (ch 3, 2dc, ch2, 3dc), * 3dc between each 3dc group, ** (3dc, ch2, 3dc) in ch2 corner rep from * 2 more times and then from * to ** one more time; join with sl st to top of ch 3. End off.

Block work.

Granny Sampler CAL ~ Day 34

2011-10-08T01:11:00.003-04:00

Day 34 ~ Saturday, October 8th

Link to main Granny Sampler CAL page.

Link to forum to ask questions, make suggestions, or just chit~chat about this CAL.

In the original pattern, this is another star square. To change things up a bit I designed a log cabin square to put in it's place. Somehow my math was all wonky, so the square was too. I went with it and came up with this.

Log Cabin Square (5 colors)

With first color, ch5, turn.

Row 1: Dc in 4th and 5th ch from hook. End off
Row 2: Attach second color, rotate 1/4 turn clockwise. Ch3 (counts as dc), 2dc across side of dc from previous rnd. End off.
Row 3: Attach third color, rotate 1/4 turn clockwise. Ch3 (counts as dc), 2dc across side of dc from previous rnd, dc in each of next 3dc (bottom of rnd 1). End off.
Row 4: Attach fourth color, rotate 1/4 turn clockwise. Ch3 (counts as dc), 2dc across side of dc from previous rnd, 3dc across side of next dc. (6dc) End off.
Row 5 (6): Attach second (first) color, rotate 1/4 turn clockwise. Ch3 (counts as dc), 2dc across side of dc from previous rnd, dc in each of next 3dc, 3dc across side of next dc. (9dc) End off.
Row 7 (8): Attach fourth (third) color, rotate 1/4 turn clockwise. Ch3 (counts as dc), 2dc across side of dc from previous rnd, dc in each of next 6dc, 3dc across side of next dc. (12dc) End off.
Row 9 (10): Attach first (second) color, rotate 1/4 turn clockwise. Ch3 (counts as dc), 2dc across side of dc from previous rnd, dc in each of next 9dc, 3dc across side of next dc. (15dc) End off.
Row 11 (12): Attach third (fourth) color, rotate 1/4 turn clockwise. Ch3 (counts as dc), 2dc across side of dc from previous rnd, dc in each of next 12dc, 3dc across side of next dc. (18dc) End off.
Row 13 (14): Attach second (first) color, rotate 1/4 turn clockwise. Ch3 (counts as dc), 2dc across side of dc from previous rnd, dc in each of next 15dc, 3dc across side of next dc. (21dc) End off.
Row 15 (16): Attach fourth (third) color, rotate 1/4 turn clockwise. Ch3 (counts as dc), 2dc across side of dc from previous rnd, dc in each of next 18dc, 3dc across side of next dc. (24dc) End off.
Row 17: Attach first color, rotate 1/4 turn clockwise. Ch3 (counts as dc), 2dc across side of dc from previous rnd, dc in each of next 21dc, 3dc across side of next dc. (27dc) End off.
Border
Rnd 1: Attach second color, rotate 1/4 turn clockwise. Ch, 3sc across side of dc from previous rnd, sc in each of next 21dc, 3sc across side of next dc, * ch2 over corner, sc across each of next 24dc, 3dc across side of next dc, rep from * 2 more times, ch2; join with sl st to beg sc. (27sc each side) End off.
Rnd 2: Attach third color in corner, * (sc, ch2, sc) in corner, sc in each st across edge, rep from * 3 more times; join with sl st to beg sc. (29sc each side). End off.
Rnd 3: Attach fourth color in corner, * (3hdc, ch2, sc) in corner, sc, 3hdc, 4dc, 6trc, 4dc, 3hdc, 6sc, 2hdc, rep from * 3 more times; join with sl st to beg hdc. (33sts each side). End off.
Rnd 4: Attach first color in corner, * (2dc, ch2, dc) in corner, dc in each st across edge, rep from * 3 more times. (36dc each side). End off.

Rnd 5 is your joining row. Join square in the corner made by the blanket center and day 33 squares..
Rnd 5: Attach second color in corner, (ch3, 2dc, ch2 3dc) in corner, * 3dc in every 4th st along edge, ** (3dc, ch2, 2dc) in corner, rep from * 2 more times and then from * to ** one more time, End off. (10 groups of 3dc on each side)

Granny Sampler CAL ~ Day 33

2011-10-07T05:16:00.005-04:00

Day 33 ~ Friday, October 7th

Link to main Granny Sampler CAL page.

Link to forum to ask questions, make suggestions, or just chit~chat about this CAL.

Granny Squares A~6, two small squares (5 colors each)

Squares (make 2)
With first color ch4; join with a sl st to make a ring.

Rnd 1: Ch3 (counts as dc), 2dc in center of ring, * ch2, 3dc in center of ring, rep from * 2 more times, ch2, join with sl st to top of beg ch 3. End off.

Rnd 2: With second color, in ch2 sp of previous rnd work (ch3, 2dc, ch2, 3dc), * in next ch2 space work (3dc, ch2, 3dc) rep from * three times, join with sl st to top of beg ch3. End off.

Rnds 3~5: With next color, in ch2 sp of previous rnd work (ch3, 2dc, ch2, 3dc), then work 3dc between each 3dc group on sides and (3dc, ch2, 3dc) in each corner; join with sl st to top of beg ch3. End off.

Rnd 5 is your joining round. Join first square on top of day 32 square and to the left of blanket center, join second square on top of day 32 square and to the left of first square.

Granny Sampler CAL ~ Day 32

2011-10-06T04:13:00.002-04:00

Day 32 ~ Thursday, October 6th

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Simple Square Motif, D~5 (5 colors)

With first color, ch 31.

Row 1: Sc in second ch from hook and in each ch st across (30 sc), ch, turn.

Rows 2~5&7~10: With second color, sc in each sc across (30 sc), ch, turn.

Rows 6&11: With first color, sc in each sc across (30 sc), ch, turn.

Border ~ Rnd 1: With third color, ch 3, 2dc in first sc, *dc in each of next 28sc, 3dc in last sc, ch2, rotate work 1/4 turn, 3dc in first st along side, 9dc evenly across the rest of the side, 2dc st as last dc, ch2, ** rotate work 1/4 turn, 3dc in first sc rep from * to ** one more time, join with sl st to top of beg ch3. End off. (14x34sc)

Rnd 2: Attach fourth color in any ch 2 corner, ch, * (sc, ch 2, sc) in corner ch 2 sp, sc in each st across edge, rep from * 3 more times; join with st st to first sc. End off. (16x36sc)

Rnd 3 is your joining row if you are joining~as~you~go.Join in corner on top of day 30&31 squares and to the left of blanket center.

Rnd 3: With fifth color work (3dc, ch 2, 3dc) in each corner, and 3dc in every fourth st along all edges. End off.

Design ~ With third color, work embroidery in cross~stitch in zig~zag across each panel of the second color.

Block work.

Granny Sampler CAL ~ Day 31

2011-10-05T05:04:00.002-04:00

Day 31 ~ Wednesday, October 5th

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There is actually not a square here in the original blanket; it is just a bunch of filler stitches. I thought this would be a good spot for a fun square of my own!

With first color, ch 3, join to first ch with a sl st to make a ring.

Rnd 1: Ch2 (counts as first hdc) hdc in ring, *ch2, 2hdc in loop, rep from * 4 more times, ch2; join with a sl st to top of beg ch2. End off.

Rnd 2: Connect second color into any ch2 space, ch2 (counts as first hdc), 5hdc in same sp, * ch2 (2dc, 2trc, 2dc) in next ch 2 sp, ch2, 6hdc in next ch2 sp ** 6hdc in next ch2 sp, rep from * to ** one more time; join with a sl st to top of beg ch2. End off.

Rnd 3: Connect third color into 4th hdc of 6hdc group that started rnd 2, (3dc, trc, ch2, trc, 2dc) in ch2 sp, sl st between 2trc of next group of sts, (2dc, trc, ch2, trc, 3dc) in ch2 sp; join with sl st to 3rd hdc of next group of sts. End off. Repeat on other side of work.

Rnd 4: Connect fourth color in first ch2 corner made from rnd 3, ch1, * sc in corner sp, 8 sc across short side of work, (sc, ch2, sc) in ch2 corner, 16sc across long side of work, sc in corner sp, ch2, rep from * one more time; join with sl st to beg sc. Do not end off.

Rnd 5: Sc in ch2 corner made at the end of rnd 4, * 10 sc across short side of work, (sc, ch2, sc) in ch2 corner, 18sc across long side of work, sc in corner sp, ch2, rep from * one more time; join with sl st to beg sc.

Rnd 6 is your joining round. Join long side of piece to the left edge of day 30 square.
Rnd 6: Connect third color in a ch 2 corner, 3ch (counts as first dc) (2dc, ch2, 3dc in same sp, * 3dc in every 4th st across edge, ** (3dc, ch2, 3dc) in corner sp, rep from * 2 more times, then rep from * to ** one more time; join with a sl st to top of beg ch 3.

Block Work.

Granny Sampler CAL ~ Day 30

2011-10-04T07:35:00.000-04:00

Day 30 ~ Tuesday, October 4th

Link to main Granny Sampler CAL page.

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Circle Motif, E~5 (5 colors)

With first color, ch 4, sl st in 1st ch to form a ring.

Rnd 1: Ch 3, (counts as 1st dc), work 11 sc in center of ring; join with sl st to beg sc. Do not end off.

Rnd 2: Ch 3, (counts as 1st dc), dc in same sp, ch * 2dc in next sc, ch, rep from * 10 more times (12 groups of 2dc), join with sl st to top of beg ch3. End off.

Rnd 3: Attach second color in middle of any 2dc group. Ch, 2sc in same st, * trc around post of dc below in rnd 1, working over top of ch in rnd 2, ** 2sc in middle of next 2dc group in rnd 2, rep from * 10 more times, then from * to ** one more time; join with sl st to first sc. End off.

Rnd 4: The pattern has you work this round in back loops, I actually worked it behing the back loops, so that both loops were pushed to the front. If you look at the picture you can see that the loops make a sort of chain circle at the top of rnd 3. This is how the picture in the book looked. Attach first color to back loop of a trc, ch, 2sc in same sp, * sc in back loop of each of next 2 dc, 2sc in back loop of trc, rep from * around until round is done, sl st to 1st sc. (48 sc) End off.

Rnd 5: Attach second color in any sc. Ch, 2sc in same sp * sc in next 3 sts, 2sc in next st, rep from * until round is done; join with sl st to top of beg ch 3. (60 sc) End off.

Rnd 6: Attach third color in any sc. Ch, 2sc in same sp * sc in next 4 sts, 2sc in next st, rep from * until round is done; join with sl st to top of beg ch 3. (72 sc) End off.

Rnd 7: Attach forth color between a 2sc group, ch4, trc,ch2, 2trc in next st, * 2dc, 2hdc, 6sc, 2hdc, ** 2trc, ch2, 2trc, rep from * around; join with sl st to top of beg ch4. End off.

Rnd 8: Attach third color in a ch 2 corner sp, ch, * (sc, ch 2, sc) in corner, 18sc along edge, rep from * 3 more times; join with sl st to first sc. End off.

Rnd 9 is your joining row. Join to the left of day 29 square, lined up with bottom left corner.
Rnd 9: Attach fifth color in a ch 2 corner sp, ch 3 (counts as 1st dc), (2dc, ch 2, 3dc) in same corner sp, * 3dc every 4th st, ** (3dc, ch 2, 3dc) in corner sp, rep from * 2 more times, and from * to ** one more time; join with sl st to top of beg 3 ch. End off.

Block work.

Granny Sampler CAL ~ Day 29

2011-10-03T05:02:00.001-04:00

Day 29 ~ Monday, October 3rd

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This square is just 2 traditional granny's stacked to make a rectangle in the original blanket. I thought it would be fun to sub in a rectangle of my own.

With first color, ch 23.

Row 1: Starting with 2nd ch from hook, sc in top loop of each ch until only 1 remains, (21sc), (sc, ch2, sc) in top loop of last ch, (sc, ch2, sc) in bottom loop of last ch, sc in bottom loop of next 20 ch, (sc, ch2, sc) in bottom loop of remaining ch, sc in same loop as first sc of rnd, ch2; join with sl st to first sc.

Row 2: Connect second color to any ch 2 corner. Ch, * (sc, ch2, sc) in corner ch sp, sc in each st across edge, rep from * three more times; join with sl st to first sc. End off. (4sc on short edges, 24sc on long edges.)

Row 3: Connect third color to any ch 2 corner. Ch, * (sc, ch2, sc) in corner ch sp, sc in each st across edge, rep from * three more times; join with sl st to first sc. End off. (6sc on short edges, 26sc on long edges.)

Row 4: Connect forth color to any ch 2 corner. Ch, * (sc, ch2, sc) in corner ch sp, sc in each st across edge, rep from * three more times; join with sl st to first sc. End off. (8sc on short edges, 28sc on long edges.)

Rnd 5 is your joining row. Join to the left of day 28 square, and under blanket center.
Rnd 5: Attach fifth color in a ch 2 corner sp, ch 3 (counts as 1st dc), (2dc, ch 2, 3dc) in same corner sp, * 3dc every 4th st, ** (3dc, ch 2, 3dc) in corner sp, rep from * 2 more times, and from * to ** one more time; join with sl st to top of beg 3 ch. End off.

Embroider design of your choice over first round.

Block work.

Granny Sampler CAL ~ Day 28

2011-10-02T05:01:00.001-04:00

Day 28 ~ Sunday, October 2nd

Link to main Granny Sampler CAL page.

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Star Motif B~2 (4 colors)

Basic star square: With first color, ch 3 sl st to 1st ch to form ring, ch 1.

Rnd 1: * sc in center of ring, ch 4, sc in bottom loop of 2nd ch from hook. Sc in bottom loop of each of next 2 ch sts, rep from * 4 more times (5 spoke center); join with sl st to beg sc. End off.

Rnd 2: Attach second color in center top st of any spoke, ch, sc in same sp, * sk next 3 sc, (trc, dc, trc) in next sc, sc in top of next spoke, rep from * around; join with sl st to beg sc. Do not end off.

Rnd 3: * sk next st (hdc, dc, trc, ch, trc, dc, hdc) in top of next st, sk next st, sl st in top of next st, rep from * around; join with sl st to beg st. End off.

Rnd 4: Attach third color in any ch sp of rnd 3, Ch, * (2sc, ch, 2sc) in ch sp, 3sc, sk sl st, 3sc, rep from * 4 more times; join with sl st to fist sc. End off.

Rnd 5: Attach forth color in back loop of any star point ch. * sk side of point, 7trc in valley between star points, sl st in back loop of ch 1 point, rep from * 4 more times, join with sl st to beg st. End off.

Rnd 6: With star point at top, attach fifth color in sl st, ch, * 2sc in each of next 4 sts, 2hdc in next st, 2dc in next st, 2trc in next st, ch2, 2trc in next st, 2dc in next st, 2hdc in next st, rep from * 3 more times; join with sl st to first sc. End off.

Rnd 7: Attach forth color in ch 2 corner sp, ch 2, (hdc, ch2, 2hdc) in same sp, * hdc in next 20 sts, ** (2hdc, ch2, 2hdc) in next ch 2 sp, rep from * 2 more times, then from * to ** 1 more time; join with a sl st to beg hdc. (24hdc each edge) End off.

Rnd 8: Attach forth color in any corner sp, (ch 3, 2dc, ch 2, 3dc) in same sp, * 3dc every 4th st, ** (3dc, ch 2, 3dc) in corner, rep from * 2 more times, then from * to ** 1 more time; join with a sl st to top of beg ch 3. (7 3dc groups each side) End off.

Rnd 9 is your joining rnd. Join to the left of day 27 square and below blanket center.
Rnd 9: Attach third color in any corner sp, (ch 3, 2dc, ch 2, 3dc) in same sp, * 3dc between each 3dc group ** (3dc, ch 2, 3dc) in corner, rep from * 2 more times, then from * to ** 1 more time; join with a sl st to top of beg ch 3. (8 3dc groups each side) End off.

Block work.

Granny Sampler CAL ~ Day 27

2011-10-01T04:00:00.003-04:00

Day 27 ~ Saturday, October 1st

Link to main Granny Sampler CAL page.

Link to forum to ask questions, make suggestions, or just chit~chat about this CAL.

Granny Square A~4, (7 colors)

Rather then making this traditional Granny a square with added rows on one end to make it fit in the blanket, I have altered it to make a rectangle of the correct size.

Rnd 1: Ch7, 2dc in 4th ch from hook, sk 2ch, (3dc, ch2, 3dc, ch2, 3dc) in next ch, turn, (3dc, ch2, 3dc, ch2) in same st as first 2dc; join with sl st to top of beg ch3. End off.

Rnd 2: With second color, in first ch2 sp made in previous rnd work (ch 3, 2dc, ch2, 3dc), * in next ch2 space work (3dc, ch2, 3dc) rep, 3dc between 3dc groups, ** (3dc, ch2, 3dc) in ch2 corner rep from * to ** one more time; join with sl st to top of ch 3. End off.

Rnd 3~7: With third color, in ch 2 sp of previous rnd work (ch 3, 2dc, ch 2, 3dc), then work 3dc between each 3dc group on sides and (3dc, ch 2, 3dc) in each corner; join with sl st to top of ch 3. End off.
Rnd 7 is your joining row. Join square to the left of day 26 square, and below blanket center.

Block work.

Granny Sampler CAL ~ Day 26

2011-09-30T04:59:00.001-04:00

Day 26 ~ Friday, September 30th

Link to main Granny Sampler CAL page.

Link to forum to ask questions, make suggestions, or just chit~chat about this CAL.

Rose Motif (I~1)

With first color, ch3, sl st to first ch to form a ring.

Rnd 1: 8sc in center of ring; join with sl st to beg sc. Do not end off.

Rnd 2: Ch3 (counts as first dc) 4dc in same st, drop loop from hook, *insert hook from front to back of work in first dc of the 5 dc group, draw dropped loop through, ch to fasten, (petal made), ch3, 5dc in next sc, rep from * 6 more times (8 petals) ch3; join with sl st to top of beg ch3. End off.

Rnd 3: Attach second color in ch3 sp, (ch3, 2dc) in same sp, *dc in ch above petal, 3dc in next ch3 sp, rep from * around (32 dc); join with sl st to top of beg ch3. End off.

Rnd 4: Work in top back loop only. Attach third color in any st, (ch3, dc, ch2, 2dc,) in same st, * dc, 2hdc, sc, 2hdc, dc ** (2dc, ch2, 2dc) in next st, rep from * 2 more times, then from * to ** one more time; join with sl st to top of beg ch3. End off.

Rnd 5: Attach forth color in ch2 corner, * sc in each st along edge, (sc, ch2, sc) in ch2 corner, rep from * 3 more times; join with a sl st to beg sc. End off.

Rnd 6: Attach second color in ch2 corner, (ch3, 2dc, ch2, 3dc) in same sp, * 3dc every 3rd st, rep from * to next corner ** (3dc, ch2, 3dc) in ch2 corner, rep from * 2 more times and then from * to ** one more time; join with sl st to top of beg ch3. End off. (5 groups of 3dc on each side.)

Rnd 7: With third color, in ch 2 sp of previous rnd work (ch 3, 2dc, ch 2, 3dc), then work 3dc between each 3dc group on sides and (3dc, ch 2, 3dc) in each corner; join with sl st to top of ch 3. End off.

Rnd 8: With forth color, in ch 2 sp of previous rnd work (ch 3, 2dc, ch 2, 3dc), then work 3dc between each 3dc group on sides and (3dc, ch 2, 3dc) in each corner; join with sl st to top of ch 3. End off.

Rnd 9 is your joining row. Join square to the left of day 25 square, and below blanket center.
Rnd 9: With first color, in ch 2 sp of previous rnd work (ch 3, 2dc, ch 2, 3dc), then work 3dc between each 3dc group on sides and (3dc, ch 2, 3dc) in each corner; join with sl st to top of ch 3. End off.

Block Work.

Granny Sampler CAL ~ Day 25

2011-09-29T04:36:00.002-04:00

Day 25 ~ Thursday, September 29th

Link to main Granny Sampler CAL page.

Link to forum to ask questions, make suggestions, or just chit~chat about this CAL.

Star Motif B~4 (4 colors)

Basic star square: With first color, ch 3 sl st to 1st ch to form ring, ch 1.

Rnd 1: * sc in center of ring, ch 4, sc in bottom loop of 2nd ch from hook. Sc in bottom loop of each of next 2 ch sts, rep from * 4 more times (5 spoke center); join with sl st to beg sc. End off.

Rnd 2: Attach second color in center top st of any spoke, ch, sc in same sp, * sk next 3 sc, (trc, dc, trc) in next sc, sc in top of next spoke, rep from * around; join with sl st to beg sc. Do not end off.

Rnd 3: * sk next st (hdc, dc, trc, ch, trc, dc, hdc) in top of next st, sk next st, sl st in top of next st, rep from * around; join with sl st to beg st. End off.

Rnd 4: Attach third color in ch 1 back loop st at any star point. * sk next 3 sts, (trc, 2dc, hdc, 2dc, trc) in next st, sk next 3 sts, sl st in back loop of ch 1 point, rep from * around, join with sl st to beg st. End off.

Rnd 5: Attach forth color in any st, 2sc in each st around (80 sc); join with a sl st to first sc. End off.

Rnd 6: Note: Work on right side in top back loops only. With star point at top, attach second color, work ch 6, * trc in each of next 2sc, dc in each of next 2sc, hdc in each of next 2sc, sc in each of next 8sc, hdc in each of next 2sc, dc each of next 2sc, ** trc in each of next 2sc, ch 2, * around 2 more times then from * to ** one more time, trc in next sc; join with sl st to 4th ch of beg ch 6. End off.

Rnd 7: Attach third color in ch 2 corner sp, ch 2, (hdc, ch2, 2hdc) in same sp, * hdc in next 20 sts, ** (2hdc, ch2, 2hdc) in next ch 2 sp, rep from * 2 more times, then from * to ** 1 more time; join with a sl st to beg hdc. (24hdc each edge) End off.

Rnd 8: Attach forth color in any corner sp, (ch 3, 2dc, ch 2, 3dc) in same sp, * 3dc every 4th st, ** (3dc, ch 2, 3dc) in corner, rep from * 2 more times, then from * to ** 1 more time; join with a sl st to top of beg ch 3. (7 3dc groups each side) End off.

Rnd 9: Attach third color in any corner sp, (ch 3, 2dc, ch 2, 3dc) in same sp, * 3dc between each 3dc group ** (3dc, ch 2, 3dc) in corner, rep from * 2 more times, then from * to ** 1 more time; join with a sl st to top of beg ch 3. (8 3dc groups each side) End off.

Rnd 10: Attach second color in any corner sp, (ch 3, 2dc, ch 2, 3dc) in same sp, * 3dc between each 3dc group ** (3dc, ch 2, 3dc) in corner, rep from * 2 more times, then from * to ** 1 more time; join with a sl st to top of beg ch 3. (9 3dc groups each side) End off.

Rnd 11 is your joining round. Join square to bottom of day 24 square.
Rnd 11: Attach first color in any corner sp, (ch 3, 2dc, ch 2, 3dc) in same sp, * 3dc between each 3dc group ** (3dc, ch 2, 3dc) in corner, rep from * 2 more times, then from * to ** 1 more time; join with a sl st to top of beg ch 3. (9 3dc groups each side) End off.

Block work.

Granny Sampler CAL ~ Day 24

2011-09-28T04:31:00.002-04:00

Day 24 ~ Wednesday, September 28th

Link to main Granny Sampler CAL page.

Link to forum to ask questions, make suggestions, or just chit~chat about this CAL.

Granny Square A~2, 4 granny squares with 4 rnds each (10 colors)

Squares ~ make 4, joining them together into a square.

With first color ch 4; join with a sl st to make a ring.

Rnd 1: Ch3 (counts as dc), 2dc in center of ring, * ch3, 3dc in center of ring, rep from * 2 more times, ch3, join with sl st to top of beg ch3. Do not end off.

Rnd 2: (Ch3, 2dc, ch2, 3dc), * in next ch3 space work (3dc, ch2, 3dc) rep from * 2 more times, join with sl st to top of ch 3. End off.

Rnd 3: With second color, in ch 2 sp of previous rnd work (ch 3, 2dc, ch 2, 3dc), * sk 3dc group, 3dc, ** (3dc, ch2, 3dc) in ch2 corner, rep from * 2 times, then from * to ** one more time; join with sl st to top of ch 3. End off.

Rnd 3: With same color, in ch 2 sp of previous rnd work (ch 3, 2dc, ch 2, 3dc), * sk 3dc group, 3dc, sk 3dc group, 3dc,** (3dc, ch2, 3dc) in ch2 corner, rep from * 2 times, then from * to ** one more time; join with sl st to top of ch 3. End off.

Join all 4 squares into a larger square, then continue with boarder rnds.

Boarder rnd 2 is your joining rnd, join to bottom of day 23 square and to the right side of blanket center.
Border rnds 1&2~ With next color work 3 dc between each group of dc along edges, and (3dc, ch 2, 3dc) in each corner; join with sl st. End off.

Granny Sampler CAL ~ Day 23

2011-09-27T04:28:00.003-04:00

Day 23 ~ Tuesday, September 27th

Link to main Granny Sampler CAL page.

Link to forum to ask questions, make suggestions, or just chit~chat about this CAL.

Diamond Square Motif, C~2 (6 colors)

With first color, ch 4, sl st in 1st ch to form a ring.

Rnd 1: Ch, work 6 sc in center of ring; join with sl st to beg sc. Do not end off.

Rnd 2: Ch 2, (counts as 1st hdc), hdc in same sp, 2hdc in each sc around (12 hdc); join with sl st to beg ch 2. End off.

Rnd 3: Attach second color to any hdc. Ch2, (counts as 1st hdc), hdc in same sp, (ch, 2hdc) in each hsc around; join with sl st to beg ch 2. End off.

Rnd 4: Attach third color in any ch sp. Ch 3 (counts as 1st dc), dc in same sp, * ch, dc in next ch sp, rep from * ch, around (12 groups of 2dc); join with sl st to top of beg ch 3. End off.

Rnd 5: Attach fourth color in a ch sp. Ch 3 (counts as 1st dc), (2dc, ch2, 3dc) in same sp, * (ch2, hdc in next ch sp) 2 times, ** ch, skip 3dc group, (3dc, ch2, 3dc) in next sp, rep from * 2 more times and then from * to ** 1 more time; join with sl st to top of beg ch 3. End off.

Rnd 6: Attach fourth color in ch2 corner sp. Ch 3 (counts as 1st dc), (2dc, ch2, 3dc) in same sp, *dc in next 3dc, (2dc in next ch sp) 3 times, dc in next 3dc, ** (3dc, ch2, 3dc) in corner sp, rep from * 2 more times and then from * to ** 1 more time; join with sl st to top of beg ch 3. End off.

Rnd 7: Attach first color in ch 2 corner sp. Ch 3 (counts as 1st dc), (2dc, ch2, 3dc) in same sp, *dc in each st across edge, ** (3dc, ch2, 3dc) in corner sp, rep from * 2 more times and then from * to ** 1 more time; join with sl st to top of beg ch 3. End off. (24dc each edge)

Corners: Attach second color to first dc on any edge, work sc in same st, and in each dc across (24sc), ch, turn * decrease 1sc, sc in each st across, decreasing 1sc in last st, ch, turn, rep from * until 2 sts remain, ch, turn, decrease rem 2 sts together. End off. Repeat on opposite side, then on remaining two sides with third and forth colors.

Rnd 8: Attach next color to any corner, ch, * (sc, ch2, sc) in corner, 25sc across edge, repeat from * 3 more times. End off.

Rnd 9 is your joining rnd, join to bottom of day 22 square.
Rnd 9: Attach next color to any ch2 corner. Ch 3 (counts as first dc), (2dc, ch 2, 3dc) in same sp, * 3dc in every 3rd st across edge, ** (3dc, ch2, 3dc) in corner, rep from * 2 more times, then from * to ** one more time, sl st to top of beg ch 3. End off.

Block work.

Granny Sampler CAL ~ Day 22

2011-09-26T04:18:00.001-04:00

Day 22 ~ Monday, September 26th

Link to main Granny Sampler CAL page.

Link to forum to ask questions, make suggestions, or just chit~chat about this CAL.

Diamond Square Motif, C~5 (5 colors)

With first color, ch 5, sl st in 1st ch to form a ring.

Rnd 1: Ch 3 (counts as first dc), dc, ch 1, 2dc, in center of ring, * ch 2, (2dc, ch, 2dc), in center of ring, rep from * 2 more times, ch 2; join with sl st to top of beg ch 3. End off.

Rnd 2: Attach second color to ch 2 corner sp, (ch 3, 2dc, ch2, 3dc) in same sp, * ch 3, 1 long sc in center of ring, covering ch sp of previous rnd, ch 3 *, ** (3dc, ch 2, 3dc) in next ch 3 sp, rep from * through ** 2 more times, and from * to * 1 more time; join with sl st to beg dc. End off.

Rnd 3: Attach third color to ch 2 corner sp, * (ch2, hdc, ch2, 2hdc) in same sp, * hdc in each next 3dc, ch 2, trc in sc in previous rnd, ch 2, hdc in each next 3dc, ** (2hdc, ch2, 2hdc) rep from * 2 more times, then from * to ** once more, sl st in top of beg ch2. End off.

Rnd 4: Attach fourth color to ch 2 corner sp, * (sc, ch2, sc) in corner sp, sc in each of next 5 sts, 2sc in ch sp, 2sc in next ch sp, sc in each of next 5 sts, rep from * 3 more times; join with a sl st to beg sc. Do not end off.

Rnd 5: Sl st into corner, * (sc, ch, sc) in corner, sc in each st across edge, rep from * 3 more times. (18sc each side). End off.

Rnd 6: Attach fifth color in corner, * (sc, ch, sc) in corner, sc in each st across edge, rep from * 3 more times. (20sc each side). End off.

Rnd 7: Attach third color in corner, * (sc, ch, sc) in corner, sc in each st across edge, rep from * 3 more times. (22sc each side). End off.

Rnd 8: Attach first color in corner, * (sc, ch, sc) in corner, sc in each st across edge, rep from * 3 more times. (24sc each side). End off.

Rnd 9: Attach forth color in corner, * (sc, ch, sc) in corner, sc in each st across edge, rep from * 3 more times. (26sc each side). End off.

Rnd 10: Attach fifth color in corner, * (sc, ch, sc) in corner, sc in each st across edge, rep from * 3 more times. (28sc each side). End off.

Rnd 11: Attach third color in corner, * (sc, ch, sc) in corner, sc in each st across edge, rep from * 3 more times. (30sc each side). End off.

Rnd 12: Attach first color in corner, * (sc, ch, sc) in corner, sc in each st across edge, rep from * 3 more times. (32sc each side). End off.

Rnd 13: Attach forth color in corner, (ch3, 2dc, ch2 3dc) in corner, * 3dc in every 4th st along edge, ** (3dc, ch2, 2dc) in corner, rep from * 2 more times and then from * to ** one more time, End off. (9 groups of 3dc on each side)

Rnd 14 is your joining row. Join square in the corner made by the blanket center and day 21 square..
Rnd 14: Attach fifth color in ch 2 sp of previous rnd work (ch 3, 2dc, ch 2, 3dc), * 3dc between each 3dc group along edge, ** (3dc, ch 2, 3dc) in ch2 corner, rep from * 2 more times, then from * to ** one more time; join with sl st to top of ch 3. End off.

Block work.

Granny Sampler CAL ~ Day 21

2011-09-25T02:41:00.002-04:00

Day 21 ~ Sunday, September 25th

Link to main Granny Sampler CAL page.

Link to forum to ask questions, make suggestions, or just chit~chat about this CAL.

Rose Motif, I~2 (6 colors)

With first color, ch 4, sl st to first chain to form a ring.

Rnd 1: Work 8 sc in center ring; join with sl st to beg sc.

Rnd 2: Ch 5 (counts as dc and 2 ch), dc in same sc sp, * (dc, ch2, dc) in next sc, rep from * 6 more times (8 petals); join with sl st to 3rd ch of beg ch5. Do not end off.

Rnd 3: Ch, *5 sc in next ch2 space, repeat from * 7 more times; join with sl st to first sc. Do not end off.

Rnd 4: Sl st over first 2 sc, in third sc (ch4, trc, ch, 2trc), * sk 4sc, (2trc, ch, 2trc) in next sc, rep from * 6 more times; join with sl st to top of beg ch4. End off.

Rnd 5: Attach second color in any ch sp, * sc, hdc, hdc, 2dc in next st, (2trc, ch2, 2trc) in ch sp, 2dc in next st, hdc, hdc, sc, sl st in ch sp, rep from * 3 more times. End off.

Rnd 6: Attach next color in trc after a ch2 corner * sc in each st across edge (15sc), ch 2, rep from * 3 more times, join with sl st to first sc. End off.

Rnd 7: Attach new color in ch 2 corner sp.(dc 3, 2dc, ch2 3dc) in corner, * 3dc in every 4th st along edge, ** (3dc, ch2, 2dc) in corner, rep from * 2 more times and then from * to ** one more time, End off. (5 groups of 3dc on each side)

Extension rows
Row 1&3: Worked on two opposite sides. Attach new color (same for row 1&3) in ch 2 corner sp. 3dc, 3dc between each group of 3dc, 3dc in corner. End off. (6 groups of 3dc)

Row 2&4: Attach new color (same for row 2&4) to top of first dc, ch2, 3dc between each group of 3dc, ch 2; join with sl st to top of last dc. End off. (5 groups of 3dc)

Rnd 8 is your joining row. Join square in the corner made by the blanket center and day 19&20 squares.
Rnd 8: With next color, in ch 2 sp of previous rnd work (ch 3, 2dc, ch 2, 3dc), * 3dc between each 3dc group along edge, ** (3dc, ch 2, 3dc) in ch2 corner, rep from * 2 more times, then from * to ** one more time; join with sl st to top of ch 3. End off.

Block work.

Back in time

2011-09-24T10:07:00.000-04:00

The past two weekends were the annual Sands point Medieval Festival, where Doug and I always help out. We brought the girls for the first weekend, but not the second.

As always, Doug fought bravely. I think he was a good guy this year... (he's the one standing)

I helped out in the A&S booth, demoing various fiber arts, and enjoying the lovely days outside. The first weekend all four of us spent the night in the girls' little 10x10 pavilion. It was a tight fit, but so nice in the morning to wake up with the girls.

Here we have Kyla inspecting the camp on Sunday morning. As you can see from my demo table, I had plenty of period crafts to wok on, but instead was knitting a stocking for Craft Hope, Project 14. I promise, once the audience started to show the metal knitting needles and acrylic yarn went away.

Sitting in the same spot, but turning to the left, here is more of my view. That is our pavilion with a shade fly for the girls to hang out in, just next to me. Then there is the castle. I love that castle. It in no way compares to those in Europe, and obviously is much more modern, but it's not bad for The States, if I do say so myself.

Our wonderful little friend Danny, who is just the greatest 10 (maybe 11) year old girl, took the girls for a bit on Sunday. She watches the daughter of the lady who does face painting, so she got Vada and Kyla's faces painted for free. They each chose their own design. Vada wanted to be a tiger:

Kyla, not surprisingly, wanted to be a princess. They were both so unbelievably cute.

We are always telling the girls not to touch the poles or the ropes. Considering they have been exposed to living the medieval life now and then since they were 2 months old, they are pretty good at it. But sometime they forget. After a little reminder, Vada decided to show me the she was "not touching" the rope. Little smarty~pants. She's lucky she is so cute.

We had quite a bit going on at the A&S booth. Here you see Douglas making glass beads. The blowtorch may not be true to period, but the technique is.

I pulled in my rug when it started to drizzle a tiny bit, and Vada thought it would make a very cozy blanket.

Later in the afternoon our favorite clown came by. Kyla and Vada got their own private show.

He really is a great guy, and a very funny clown. I think I was laughing as much, if not more, as the girls.

Eventually it was time to go home. Back to modern days, and yummy chocolate spiced tea. (Followed the recipe on the side of the Lipton Teabag box.)

There you have a little peak at my life as the Lady Marina di Salaparuta, medieval artisan and mommy. It seems that mommy thing goes with me everywhere.

Have a lovely weekend, my friends!

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Granny Sampler CAL ~ Day 20

2011-09-24T01:11:00.014-04:00

Day 20 ~ Saturday, September 24th

Link to main Granny Sampler CAL page.

Link to forum to ask questions, make suggestions, or just chit~chat about this CAL.

Simple Square Motif, D~1 (5 colors)

With first color, ch 11.

Row 1: 1sc in second ch from hook and in each ch st across (10 sc), ch, turn.

Row 2: 1 sc in each sc across (10 sc), ch, turn.

Rows 3~22, same as row 2, omit ch at end of row 22. Do not end off.

Border ~ Rnd 1: Work a sc in each st along edges, and (sc, ch 2, sc) in each corner. End off. (12sc x 24sc)

Rnd 2: Attach new color in ch 2 corner sp. Work (ch 3, 2dc, ch 2, 3dc) in same sp, 3dc in every 4th st along edges, and (3dc, ch 2, 3dc) in each corner; join with sl st to beg ch 3. End off.

Rnd 3: Worked on each of the short ends. Attach new color, 3dc in ch2 corner, 3dc between each group of 3dc, 3dc in ch2 corner. End off.

Rnd 4: Worked on each of the short ends. Attach new color to top of dc, ch2 3dc between each group of 3dc, ch 2; join with sl st to top of last dc. End off.

Rnd 5 is your joining row. Join square to the right of day 19 square.
Rnd 5: With next color, in ch 2 sp of previous rnd work (ch 3, 2dc, ch 2, 3dc), * 3dc between each 3dc group along ecge, ** (3dc, ch 2, 3dc) in ch2 corner, rep from * 2 more times, then from * to ** one more time; join with sl st to top of ch 3. End off.

Block work.

You mean I have to start watching a soap?!?!

2011-09-23T11:21:00.004-04:00

Many moons ago I was sitting in my first day of Make Up class at The Theater School at DePaul University, and met the boy sitting next to me, Mike. I was a first year costume designer and he was a second year actor. He didn't seem to fit in so much with his classmates, I could relate. Of course, he was also gorgeous, so that helped, too!

As the year went on, we became friends. I was rather skilled at make up, so he tended to turn to me when he needed some help. I also worked in the costume storage rooms for my work study job. Occationally he would stop in when I was working and plop on down on a trunk to talk. He used to just open up about everything to me. He would tell me that he knew that he would always work after graduation, because of his looks, but that he didn't know he had the talent to make him deserve that work. I knew he had the talent. I could look at Mike a see a good man with talent, but also a boy with so little confidence. I tried to help, but I knew it was something he would have to come to himself.

Another common trunk talk was about girls. He used to say he just wanted to find a girl he could talk to openly like he talked to me. It was maddening! I did have a bit of a crush, let's face it, a beautiful, talented boy who trusts you enough to be totally open with you ~ if that's not sexy, what is? However, it was just a crush, and I knew I could be better for him as a friend. Looking back on it, I think I have his answer now: It is very hard to find a person you can have a romantic relationship with who you can also be totally open with; especially when you are so young. It can be a terrifying thought to share your inner hopes and fears with someone you care a lot about. What if it makes them leave? As we grow, we learn it is necessary, but collage kids are rarely ready.

It always made me so happy when he would come by to talk. I never really knew if it meant much to him, if he would even remember me when he left, but it made me feel good to know that in the moment I could be there for him. He didn't seem to have many people at school he could talk to. Well, at least from what I saw, I could have been wrong.

Somewhere in all of this I developed quite the soft spot for him. It really wasn't the same as the little crush, it was truly caring about him as a friend, and hoping beyond hope that one day he could see the good and talented man I knew was there; and that he could find a great woman to help bring that out, to share his life with. He always struck me as the kind who was meant to get married, and have a great relationship. I guess it was because I knew he needed someone he could be open with, and who could be open with him. Let's face it, the strongest relationships are built on that openness.

I have often felt, in the presence of our fellow alumni, that I was alone in my love for Mike. That I was one of the few who saw who he truly was and could be.

Years went by. I never saw or communicated with him after undergrad. It was really one of those friendships of convenience. Through the years I have seen him on TV now and again, and it always brings a smile to my face.

I have been having lots of moments of nostalgia lately, which caused me to think of Mike once again. As it turns out, he is rather easy to check on, he has his own website and has been staring in The Young and the Restless for two years. He is married with 2 kids.

I looked at some interviews with him, some stories about him, and even his tweets. His twitter photo is a NoH8 photo, and if you know me, you know how much that means to me. The funny thing is I had seen that photo many times and it bugged the crap out of me because I felt like I should know who it was but I couldn't figure it out. I just never took the 2 minutes to search it out. Kinda funny, huh? Anyway, from this bit of cyber~snooping, I have been made so happy. His co~workers and employers say what a talented and kind man he is. He seems to have found his confidence. It looks like he has become the man I knew he could be. This makes me so happy. I want to go back to Chicago and scream "I told you so" from the top of the Merle Reskin Theatre. OK, so maybe it isn't all about being happy for Mike, maybe it's a bit about proving that I am a better judge of people then many give me credit for.

So I guess this means I need to start watching a soap, at least every once and a while. I hope he is as happy as he appears to be, you never really know how much you can trust the internet/media.

It's funny the things that end up meaning something to us. I don't know if Mike even remembers me. I don't know if I meant much to him in undergrad. What I do know is he meant something to me. No matter how many people at the time said he was just a pretty face, I couldn't help but feel they were wrong, and feel the unstoppable need to be there for him, and do what I could, even just the smallest bit, to help him see those people were wrong. I guess it was just the mommy in me coming out early. Even then I was usually the mother of my group of friends, even if I was the youngest.

Michael Muhney, I adore you. I am so proud of you. I hope you and your family have a wonderful life, and I hope that you finally see in yourself what I always saw in the boy sitting on that trunk in costume storage.

Granny Sampler CAL ~ Day 19

2011-09-23T01:08:00.006-04:00

Day 19 ~ Friday, September 23rd

Link to main Granny Sampler CAL page.

Link to forum to ask questions, make suggestions, or just chit~chat about this CAL.

Granny Square A~1, (10 colors)

With first color ch 4; join with a sl st to make a ring.

Rnd 1: Ch 3 (counts as dc), 2dc in center of ring, * ch 3, 3dc in center of ring, rep from * 2 more times, ch 3, join with sl st to top of beg ch 3. End off.

Rnd 2: With second color, in ch 3 sp of previous rnd work (ch 3, 2dc, ch 2, 3dc), * in next ch 3 space work (3dc, ch 3, 3dc) rep from * three times, join with sl st to top of ch 3. End off.

Rnd 3~10: With third color, in ch 2 sp of previous rnd work (ch 3, 2dc, ch 2, 3dc), then work 3dc between each 3dc group on sides and (3dc, ch 2, 3dc) in each corner; join with sl st to top of ch 3. End off.
Rnd 10 is your joining row. Join square to the right of days 17 & 18 squares.

Block work.

Granny Sampler CAL ~ Day 18

2011-09-22T02:49:00.003-04:00

Day 18 ~ Thursday, September 22nd

Link to main Granny Sampler CAL page.

Link to forum to ask questions, make suggestions, or just chit~chat about this CAL.

Circle Motif, E~4 (5 colors)

Granny Sampler CAL ~ Day 17

2011-09-21T02:47:00.015-04:00

Day 17 ~ Wednesday, September 21st

Link to main Granny Sampler CAL page.

Link to forum to ask questions, make suggestions, or just chit~chat about this CAL.

Simple Square Motif, D~3 (4 colors)

With first color, ch 21.

Row 1: Worked in two colors. With first color, sc in second ch from hook and in next st, * change color, sc in each of next 2 ch, change to first color, sc in each of next 2 ch, rep from * across ch (20 sc), ch, turn.

Row 2 ~ 6: 1 sc in each sc across, having second color over first color and first over second (20 sc), ch, turn.

Border ~ Rnd 1: With third color, work a sc in each st along top and bottom (long edges). End off. (20sc).

Rnd 2: Repeat rnd 1 in fourth color.

Rnd 3: Repeat rnd 1 in third color.

Rnd 4: With fourth color, 20sc across top, ch 2, 12sc across side, ch 2, 20sc across bottom, ch 2, 12sc across side, ch 2; join with sl st to first sc. Do not end off.

Rnd 5 is your joining row if you are joining~as~you~go. Join this square to the right of day 16 square and on top of blanket center.
Rnd 5: Work (3dc, ch 2, 3dc) in each corner ch 2, and 3dc in every fourth st along all 4 edges. End off.

Block work.

Granny Sampler CAL ~ Day 16

2011-09-20T02:15:00.002-04:00

Day 16 ~ Tuesday, September 20th

Link to main Granny Sampler CAL page.

Link to forum to ask questions, make suggestions, or just chit~chat about this CAL.

Diamond Square Motif, C~3 (4 colors)

With first color, ch 4, sl st in 1st ch to form a ring.

Rnd 1: Ch, work 6 sc in center of ring; join with sl st to beg sc. Do not end off.

Rnd 2: Ch 2, (counts as 1st hdc), hdc in same sp, 2hdc in each sc around (12 hdc); join with sl st to beg ch 2. Do not end off.

Rnd 3: Ch 3, (counts as 1st hdc and ch), * hdc in next st, ch, rep from * around; join with sl st to 2nd ch of beg ch 3. End off.

Rnd 4: Attach second color in any hdc, ch. 2sc in same st, * sc over ch sp, into hdc from rnd 2,** 2sc in next st, repeat from * until round is complete, ending at **; join with sl st to first sc. End off.

Rnd 5: Attach third color behind back loop of any st. Ch 3 (counts as 1st dc), dc behind back loop of every stitch around, so that both loops of the sts from rnd 4 are pushed to the front, (36dc); join with sl st to top of beg ch 3. End off.

Rnd 6: Attach first color in any dc. Ch 3 (counts as 1st dc), dc in same st, * dc, dc, 2dc, repeat from * until 2 sts remain, dc in each of last 2 sts, (48 dc); join with sl st to top of beg ch 3. End off.

Rnd 7: Attach third color in first dc of any 2dc group. Ch 3 (counts as 1st dc), dc in same st, ch 2, 2dc in next dc, *dc, hdc, sc in each of next 6sts, hdc, dc** (2dc in next st, ch 2, 2dc in next st) rep from * 2 more times then from * to ** one more time; join with sl st to top of beg ch 3. End off.

Rnd 8: Attach second color in ch 2 corner sp, Work 2sc in same sp * 2sc in next dc, sc in each of next 12 sts, 2sc in next dc, ** 2sc in corner sp, rep from * 2 more times, then from * to ** one more time; join with sl st to beg sc. End off.

Corners: Attach first color to sc after 2sc corner, work sc in same st, and in each of next 16 sts, ch, turn * dec 1sc, sc in each st across, dec1sc in last st, ch, turn, rep from * 6 more times, ch, turn, sk a st,dec rem 2 sts together. End off. Repeat on opposite corners. Repeat on 2 remaining corners in fourth color.

Rnd 5: Attach third color to any corner. Ch 3 (counts as first dc), 2dc, ch 2, 3dc, in same st, * work 5 groups of 3dc evenly across edge (middle group will be in corner of rnd 4),** (3dc, ch 2, 3dc) rep from * 2 more times, rep from * again, stopping at **, sl st to top of beg ch 3. End off.

Rnd 6~8: Attach yarn (rnd 6=first color, rnd 7=second color, rnd 8=forth color) in ch 2 sp of previous rnd, work (ch 3, 2dc, ch 2, 3dc), then work 3dc between each 3dc group on sides and (3dc, ch 2, 3dc) in each corner; join with sl st to top of ch 3. End off. (Rnd 6=8 3dc groups, rnd 7=9 3dc groups, rnd 8=10 3dc groups. Rnd 8 is your joining rnd, join to the right of day 15 square and on top of the blanket center.

Block work.

Granny Sampler CAL ~ Day 15

2011-09-19T02:08:00.002-04:00

Day 15 ~ Monday, September 19th

Link to main Granny Sampler CAL page.

Link to forum to ask questions, make suggestions, or just chit~chat about this CAL.

Simple Square Motif, D~4 (5 colors)

With first color, ch 33.

Row 1: 1sc in second ch from hook and in each ch st across (32 sc), ch, turn.

Row 2: 1 sc in each sc across (32 sc), ch, turn.

Rows 3~11: same as row 2.

Border ~ Rnd 1: With second color, work a sc in each st along edges, and (2sc, ch 2, 2sc) in each corner. End off. (13 sc each short edge (13x34sc))

Rnd 2: With third color, work a sc in each st along edges, and (sc, ch 2, sc) in each corner ch 2 sp. End off. (15x36sc)

Rnd 3: With fourth color work (3dc, ch 2, 3dc) in each corner, and 3dc in every fourth st along all edges. End off.

Rnd 3 is your joining row if you are joining~as~you~go. Join the bottom of this square to the top left of the inner blanket.

Design ~ With fifth color, work embroidery in cross~stitch in diamond shape across center of sc panel.

Block work.

Granny Sampler CAL ~ Day 14

2011-09-18T05:08:00.003-04:00

Day 14 ~ Sunday, September 18th

Everyone needs a break now and then! This is a catch~up day. If you are behind, use today to catch back up. If you are all done with the inner blanket and all 8 border rounds, then take a break today.

Have a wonderful day, my friends!

Granny Sampler CAL ~ Day 13

2011-09-17T04:36:00.002-04:00

Day 13 ~ Saturday, September 17th

Link to main Granny Sampler CAL page.

Link to forum to ask questions, make suggestions, or just chit~chat about this CAL.

Inner Border, Rounds 5~8 (4 colors)

Rnd 1: Attach next color in ch 2 corner sp of previous rnd, ch (sc, ch 2, sc), in same sp, * sc in each sc along edge, ** (sc, ch 2, sc) in corner; rep from * 2 times, and then rep from * to ** once more; join with sl st to top of beg sc. End off. (72sc across top and bottom, 108sc down sides)

Rnd 2: Attach next color in ch 2 sp of previous rnd, (ch 3, hdc), in same sp, * hdc in each sc along edge, ** (hdc, ch 2, hdc) in corner; rep from * 2 times, and then rep from * to ** once more; join with sl st to 2nd of beg ch 3. End off. (74 hdc across top and bottom, 110hdc down sides)

Rnd 3: Attach next color in ch 2 sp of previous rnd, (ch 3, 2dc, ch 2, 3dc), in same sp, * sk 4, 3dc in next st (sk 2hdc, 3dc in next st) until 4sts remain, ** (3dc, ch 2, 3dc) in corner; rep from * 2 times, and then rep from * to ** once more; join with sl st to top of beg ch 3. End off. (25 groups of 3dc across top and bottom, 37 groups of 3dc down sides)

Block work.

Rnd 4: Attach next color in ch 2 sp of previous rnd, (ch 3, 2dc, ch 2, 3dc), in same sp, * 3dc between each 3dc group, ** (3dc, ch 2, 3dc) in corner; rep from * 2 times, and then rep from * to ** once more; join with sl st to top of beg ch 3. End off. (26 groups of 3dc across top and bottom, 38 groups of 3dc down sides)

Granny Sampler CAL ~ Day 12

2011-09-16T04:26:00.001-04:00

Day 12 ~ Friday, September 16th

Link to main Granny Sampler CAL page.

Link to forum to ask questions, make suggestions, or just chit~chat about this CAL.

Inner Border, Rounds 1~4 (4 colors)

Rnd 1: Attach first color in ch 2 corner sp of inner blanket, (ch 3, 2dc, ch 2, 3dc), in same sp, * 3dc between each 3dc group, ** (3dc, ch 2, 3dc) in corner; rep from * 2 times, and then rep from * to ** once more; join with sl st to top of beg ch 3. End off. When working sides there will be joins of various squares to work over. At these joins, work just 1 3dc as follows: dc in ch sp corner of first square, dc around chs of both square corners, dc in ch sp corner of second square. (21 groups of 3dc across top and bottom, 33 groups of 3dc down sides)

Rnd 2: Attach next color in ch 2 sp of previous rnd, (ch 3, 2dc, ch 2, 3dc), in same sp, * 3dc between each 3dc group, ** (3dc, ch 2, 3dc) in corner; rep from * 2 times, and then rep from * to ** once more; join with sl st to top of beg ch 3. End off. (22 groups of 3dc across top and bottom, 34 groups of 3dc down sides)

Rnd 3: Attach next color in ch 2 sp of previous rnd, (ch 3, hdc), in same sp, * hdc in each dc along edge, ** (hdc, ch 2, hdc) in corner; rep from * 2 times, and then rep from * to ** once more; join with sl st to top of beg ch 2. End off. (68 hdc across top and bottom, 102hdc down sides)

Rnd 4: Attach next color in ch 2 sp of previous rnd, ch (sc, ch 2, sc), in same sp, * sc in each hdc along edge, ** (sc, ch 2, sc) in corner; rep from * 2 times, and then rep from * to ** once more; join with sl st to top of beg sc. End off. (70sc across top and bottom, 104sc down sides)

Granny Sampler CAL ~ Day 11

2011-09-15T04:56:00.001-04:00

Day 11 ~ Thursday, September 15th

Link to main Granny Sampler CAL page.

Link to forum to ask questions, make suggestions, or just chit~chat about this CAL.

Big Square Motif, G (10 colors)

With first color, ch 4, sl st in 1st ch to form a ring, ch.

Rnd 1: Work 6 sc in center of ring, join with sl st to beg sc. Do not end off.

Rnd 2: Ch 2 (counts as hdc) hdc in same sp, 2hdc in top of each sc around (12 hdc); join with sl st to top of beg ch 2. End off.

Rnd 3: Attach second color, ch, sc in top of next st, * ch, sc in next st, rep from * around; join with sl st to beg st. End off.

Rnd 4: Attach third color in any ch sp, ch 3 (counts as dc) 2dc in same sp * 3dc in next ch sp, rep from * around (12 groups of 3dc); join with sl st to beg dc. End off.

Rnd 5: Attach fourth color between any 3dc group sc, * ch 3, sc between next group of dc, rep from * around; join with sl st to beg st. End off.

Rnd 6: Attach fifth color in any ch 3 sp, (ch 3, 2dc, ch 2, 3dc) in same sp, * 3dc in next 2 ch 3 sps, (3dc, ch 2, 3dc) in next ch 3 sp, rep from * around. End off.

Rnd 7: Attach sixth color in ch 2 sp of previous rnd, work (ch 3, 2dc, ch 2, 3dc), then work 3dc between each 3dc group on sides and (3dc, ch 2, 3dc) in each corner; join with sl st to top of ch 3. End off.

Rnd 8 & 9: Attach seventh color, work dc in top of each st along edges and (dc, ch 2, dc), in each corner. End off.

Rnd 10: Attach eighth color in ch 2 sp of previous rnd, work (ch 3, 2dc, ch 2, 3dc), * sk 2 sts, 3dc, ** sk 3, 3dc, 5 times, rep from * on each side and (3dc, ch 2, 3dc) in each corner; join with sl st to top of ch 3. End off.

Rnd 11: Attach sixth color in ch 2 sp of previous rnd, work (ch 3, 2dc, ch 2, 3dc), then work 3dc between each 3dc group on sides and (3dc, ch 2, 3dc) in each corner; join with sl st to top of ch 3. End off.

Block work.

Granny Sampler CAL ~ Day 10

2011-09-14T02:04:00.002-04:00

Day 10 ~ Wednesday, September 14th

Link to main Granny Sampler CAL page.

Link to forum to ask questions, make suggestions, or just chit~chat about this CAL.

Diamond Square Motif, C~4 (10 colors)

Granny Sampler CAL ~ Day 9

2011-09-13T04:46:00.003-04:00

Day 9 ~ Tuesday, September 13th

Link to main Granny Sampler CAL page.

Link to forum to ask questions, make suggestions, or just chit~chat about this CAL.

Circle Motif, E~3 (6 colors)

Granny Sampler CAL ~ Day 8

2011-09-12T05:04:00.001-04:00

Day 8 ~ Monday, September 12th

Link to main Granny Sampler CAL page.

Link to forum to ask questions, make suggestions, or just chit~chat about this CAL.

Circle Motif, E~6 (4 colors)

With first color, ch 4, sl st in 1st ch to form a ring.

Rnd 1: Ch, work 12 sc in center of ring; join with sl st to beg sc. Do not end off.

Rnd 2: Ch 3, (counts as 1st dc), 2dc in same sp, ch * sk next sc, 3dc in next sc, ch, rep from * around (6 groups of 3dc. Do not end off.

Rnd 3:Work sl st in top of next dc, ch 3, dc in same st, * ch, skip next dc, 2dc in next ch sp, ch, skip next dc, 2dc in next dc, rep from * around (12 groups of 2dc), ch; join with sl st to top of beg ch 3. Do not end off.

Rnd 4: Work entire rnd in back loops only. Sl st into ch sp, ch 3, (counts as 1st dc), (2dc, ch 2, 3dc) in same st, *3dc in ch between next group of 2dc, 2 times, (3dc, ch 2, 3dc), rep from * around until round is done, join with sl st to top of beg ch 3. Do not end off.

Rnd 5: Ch, sc in each stitch and between groups of dc, in each corner work (sc, ch 2, sc); join with sl st to top of beg sc. (17 sc each side) End off.

Rnd 6: Attach new color in a ch 2 corner sp, ch 2 (counts as first hdc), (ch 2, hdc) in same corner, hdc in all sc along each edge, in each corner work (hdc, ch 2, hdc); join with sl st to top of beg 2 ch. (19 hdc each side) End off.

Rnd 7: Attach new color in a ch 2 corner sp, ch 3 (counts as first dc), (2dc, ch 2, 3dc) in same corner, * skip 4 sts, 3dc in next st, (sk 3 sts, 3dc in next st), 3 times, (3dc, ch 2, 3dc) in corner rep from * until round is done; join with sl st to top of beg 3 ch. (25 dc each side) End off.

Rnd 8 is your joining row if you are joining~as~you~go. Join this square to right of day 7 square.
Rnd 8: Attach new color in a ch 2 corner sp, ch 3 (counts as first dc), (2dc, ch 2, 3dc) in same corner, 3dc in between each 3dc group along edge and (3dc, ch 2, 3dc) in each corner; join with sl st to beg dc. End off.

Block work

Granny Sampler CAL ~ Day 7

2011-09-11T02:50:00.001-04:00

Day 7 ~ Sunday, September 11th

Link to main Granny Sampler CAL page.

Link to forum to ask questions, make suggestions, or just chit~chat about this CAL.

Simple Square Motif, D~2 (5 colors)

With first color, ch 16.

Row 1: 1sc in second ch from hook and in each ch st across (15 sc), ch, turn.

Row 2: 1 sc in each sc across (15 sc), ch, turn.

Rows 3~15, same as row 2, change color at rows 4, 7, 10 and 13.

Border ~ Rnd 1: With new color, work a sc in each st along edges, and (2sc, ch 2, 2sc) in each corner. End off. (17 sc each edge)

Rnd 2: Rnd 1: With new color, work a sc in each st along edges, and (sc, ch 2, sc) in each corner ch 2 sp. End off. (19 sc each edge)

Rnd 3: Work (3dc, ch 2, 3dc) in each corner, and 3dc in every third st along all edges. End off.

Rnd 4 is your joining row if you are joining~as~you~go. Join this square to bottom of day 6 square. It will not reach all the way to the end of day 6 square.

Rnd 4: Attach new color in ch 2 corner sp. Work (ch 3, 2dc, ch 2, 3dc) in same sp, 3dc in every 4th st along edges (4 groups of 3dc, not counting corner) and (3dc, ch 2, 3dc) in each corner; join with sl st to beg ch 3. End off.

Add 2 rows to bottom of square:
Row 1: Join same color as rnd 4 to bottom right corner of day 5 square, ch 3, 2dc in bottom left corner of today's square, 3 dc in each sp between 3dc groups to corner, 3dc in corner (7 groups of 3dc). End off.

Row 2: Join same color to top of ch 3 at beg of row 1, ch 3, 3dc in each sp between 3dc groups (6 groups of 3dc). Ch 3, join to last dc of previous rnd. End off.

Block work.

Granny Sampler CAL ~ Day 6

2011-09-10T04:00:00.002-04:00

Day 6 ~ Saturday, September 10th

Link to main Granny Sampler CAL page.

Link to forum to ask questions, make suggestions, or just chit~chat about this CAL.

Variation Motif, F~6 (5 colors)

With first color, ch 4, sl st in 1st ch to form a ring.

Rnd 1: Ch 3 (counts as 1 dc) 3 dc in center of ring, * ch 5, 4dc in ring, rep from * 2 more times, ch 5: join with a sl st to top of beg ch3. End off.

Rnd 2: Attach 2nd color in ch 5 sp. Work * (3dc, ch 2, 3 dc), sk next 2 dc (dc, ch, dc), between second and third dc of previous rnd, rep from * 3 more times; join with sl st to beg dc. End off.

Rnd 3: Attach third color in ch 2 corner sp.Work * (3dc, ch 2, 3dc) in same sp, ch 2, dc in sp between 3dc group and dc, ch, dc in next ch sp, ch, dc in sp between dc and 3dc group, ch 2, rep from * 3 more times; join with sl st to beg dc. End off.

Rnd 4: Attach fourth color in ch 2 corner sp. Work * (3dc, ch 2, 3dc) in same sp, 3 dc in next ch 2 sp, skip dc, dc in next dc, skip dc, 3dc in next ch 2 sp, rep from * 3 more times; join with sl st to beg dc. End off.

Rnd 5 is your joining row if you are joining~as~you~go. Join this square to right of day 5 square, and underneath the first row of squares. While joining, when you get to the upper left corner, make 1st chain around ch in square to the top, and 2nd ch around square to the left. This square is shorter then the rest of the squares in the second row, so it will not connect all the way to the bottom

Rnd 5: Attach fifth color in ch 2 corner sp. Work * (3dc, ch 2, 3dc) in same sp, (3dc in next ch sp) 4 times, rep from * 3 more times; join with sl st to beg dc. End off.

Add 2 rows to bottom of square:
Join same color as rnd 5 to bottom right corner of day 5 square, 3dc in bottom left corner of today's square, 3 dc in each sp between 3dc groups to corner, 3dc in corner (7 groups of 3dc). End off.
Join same color to bottom right corner of day 5 square, 3 dc in each sp between 3dc groups (6 groups of 3dc). Ch 3, join to last dc of previous rnd. End off.

Block work.

Sunday

2011-09-09T22:54:00.000-04:00

Ten years ago from Sunday. It was a Tuesday morning. I woke up in my Queens apartment early feeling a bit...off. I got ready for work ~ Costume Shop Manager for the theater department at Adelphi University in Long Island, just a couple miles east of Queens. I dressed in all black, and wore dark make~up that morning; it matched how I was feeling. As I was leaving I grabbed a stuffed monkey my father had given me a couple years earlier. He had said that even if we may be on opposite sides of the country, even if we were on opposite sides of the world, I could hug that monkey and know it was a hug from him. I just had a feeling I was going to need that monkey.

I got in to my shop very early, it was the beginning of the build for Into the Woods for which I was also the designer, and there were a lot of costumes to make. So I put the monkey on a shelf, turned on the radio to Q104.3, classic rock, and got to work. I remember I was at the ironing table, ironing and rolling fabric that we had just bought and pre~washed. I don't remember if the Boston song was stopped in the middle for the first or second plane, but I know once it was stopped, there was not more music for many, many hours. After the first plane, no one seemed that worried; upset by the tragedy of it, but nor worried. It was just assumed it was pilot error or plane malfunction. Then with the second plane, everything changed. Still no facts, but we knew it was bad. I was still alone in the shop. Then the towers fell. I couldn't see it, but the radio was enough. I opened the door of my shop into the small room sometimes used for classes. Nick, the Dean of the theatre department, was teaching his senior direction class. I looked at them all in a daze. Nick looked at me. "I thought you might want to know, there are no more Twin Towers. They just collapsed." I turned and walked back into my shop, still in a daze.

I just kept working, and listening to the radio, as the facts of the attack unfolded. I didn't know what else to do. Then the kids started coming into my shop, many in tears. That was what broke my daze. When the first kid walked in, I knew I had to be strong. Then were coming to me because they needed comfort. They were away from home, away from Mom and Dad, and they needed someone to be there for them. They needed someone to hold them and tell them that they were safe; to remind them that security was so high now that we would all be OK. I didn't believe it, but I said it. I was terrified. Never in my life have I been so scared, so sad, and so angry, but I needed to be there for my students. It was more then my job, it was who I was, who I have always been. I am the nurturer. I can't stand to see people in pain, especially emotional pain.

As the day went on, my assistant, a few of my students, and I, got in Ralph, my trusty Ford Escort station wagon, and went to the red cross to donate blood. It was an amazing experience. The place was packed. We all just remembered who we were behind in line and sat down on the floor. The few seats they had were no ware near enough. Everyone was so caring for each other. There were no conflicts about who was next or any of that. We were all listening to the news on a radio station, with occasional patriotic songs thrown in. I remember at some point Glad to be an American came on and the whole place sang along. I remember signing along and feeling it, with every fiber of my being. At another point some guys waiting in line went over to the Dunkin Donuts and told them how packed the red cross was, and wanted to know how many donuts they could get for the money that had with them. They came back with several boxes of free donuts. Another young man who had taken a medication that made him unable to donate blood found his way to the recovery room and was helping hand out juice and cookies. Still others went on runs for more juice and cookies to help those who had just donated. It was kindness and comradely amongst strangers like I had never seen, but in the days and weeks to follow, I would see it time and again.

That weekend I went into the city with some girlfriends. We went to the Hard Rock Cafe, up to the second floor, where they were taking volunteers to help make bagged lunches for all the people waiting in the designated areas around Ground Zero, the new name for the spot were the Twin Towers once stood, waiting to hear any news of their loved ones who had been there that day. Manhattan was so different then it had been before. It was an odd combination of fear, sadness, passion and love. If you have felt it, you know, if not, I don't know how else to describe it. It was as though the whole city was afraid of what was to come, deeply saddened by what had happened, passionate about keeping it from every happening again, and about showing "them" that we would not be broken, and loving towards one another. Everyone came together to bring each other back up to their feet. We became the one stronger then the many. We were not the victims, we were the survivors.

This weekend I will be with my family working at a Medieval Festival in Sand Point, Long Island. Even though I will spend Sunday as a medieval artisan, I know I will still remember what day it is. I will still get a lump in my throat, feel the hole in my heart, and have to take a moment to collect myself throughout the day. I know I will never forget the terror of that day. For the longest time I thought I had just not healed yet. I thought that eventually I would be able to look at that day the way so many others I know who never lived in one of the targeted areas look at it. Then I realized that would never be so. For the rest of my life, every time I think of that day I will get that lump in my throat, feel that hole in my heart, and find a tear in my eye. I will still cry if I think on it too long. I'm not sure that ever a year will pass that I don't silently cry myself to sleep at least once thinking of that day, and the unending fear that my children may some day have to live through a day like that. If no other wish I make in my life ever comes true, at least let the wish that my daughters never experience a day like that come true. The good that come afterwards was amazing, but nothing can offset the evil of that day.

I know this was not the kind of post that usually abounds on my blog. However, it is something I needed to share. It is all I know to do to mark this day. May we never have another one like it.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Granny Sampler CAL ~ Day 5

2011-09-08T22:17:00.000-04:00

Day 5 ~ Friday, September 9th

Link to main Granny Sampler CAL page.

Link to forum to ask questions, make suggestions, or just chit~chat about this CAL.

Violet Motif H (4 colors)

With yellow, ch 4, sl st to beg ch to form ring.

Rnd 1: * sc in center of ring, ch 4, rep from * 3 more times; join with a sl st to beg sc. End off.

Rnd 2: Attach lavender in sc, sl st in same st, * (sc, hdc, dc, hdc, sc), in ch 4 sp, sl st in next sc, rep from * 3 more times, sl st to beg sl st. End off.

Rnd 3: Attach green to back loop of dc in any petal, ch 3 (counts as 1st dc), dc, ch 2, 2dc, in same sp, 2 dc in back loop of hdc, * ch 1 , sk next 3 sts, 2 dc in back loop of hdc, (2dc, ch 2, 2dc) in back loop of dc, 2 dc in back loop of hdc, rep from * 2 more times; join with sl st to top of beg ch 3. End off.

Rnd 4: Attach lavender and work hdc in each st along all edges and (2hdc, ch2, 2hdc) in each ch 2 corner; join with sl st to top of beg hdc. End off.

Rnd 5: Attach same color as rnd 1 in ch 2 corner, (ch 3, dc, ch 2, 2dc) in same sp, *sk next st, 2dc in next st, rep from * along all edges and (2dc, ch 2, 2dc) in each corner; join with sl st to top of beg ch 3. End off.

Rnd 6: Attach same color as rnd 3 in ch 2 corner, (ch 3, 2dc, ch 2, 3dc) in same sp, * sk next 2 sts, 3dc in next st, sk next 3 sts, 3dc in next st, rep from * once more, (3dc, ch 2, 3dc) in corner, rep from * until round is done; join with sl st to top of beg ch 3. End off.

Rnd 7 is your joining row if you are joining~as~you~go. Join this square to right of day 4 square, and underneath the first row of squares. While joining, when you get to the upper left corner, make 1st chain around ch in square to the top, and 2nd ch around square to the left.
Rnd 7: Attach new color in a ch 2 corner sp, ch 3 (counts as 1st dc), (2dc, ch 2, 3dc) in same corner sp, * 3dc in space between 3dc groups, 5 times, (3dc, ch 2, 3dc) in corner sp, rep from * until round is done; join with sl st to top of beg 3 ch. End off.

Block work.

Granny Sampler CAL ~ Day 4

2011-09-07T22:09:00.001-04:00

Day 4 ~ Thursday, September 8

Link to main Granny Sampler CAL page.

Link to forum to ask questions, make suggestions, or just chit~chat about this CAL.

Circle Motif, E~6 (6 colors)

With first color, ch 4, sl st in 1st ch to form a ring.

Rnd 1: Ch, work 12 sc in center of ring; join with sl st to beg sc. Do not end off.

Rnd 2: Ch 3, (counts as 1st dc), 2 dc in same sp, ch * sk next sc, 3dc in next sc, ch, rep from * around (6 groups of 3dc. End off.

Rnd 3: Attach next color to second dc in any 3dc group. Ch 3, dc in same st, * ch, skip next dc, 2dc in next ch sp, ch, skip next dc, 2dc in next dc, rep from * around (12 groups of 2 dc), ch; join with sl st to top of beg ch 3. End off.

Rnd 4: The pattern has you work this round in back loops, I actually worked it behing the back loops, so that both loops were pushed to the front. If you look at the picture you can see that the loops make a sort of chain circle at the top of rnd 3. This is how the picture in the book looked. Attach same color as rnd 1 to back loop of a ch sp, ch, 2sc in same sp, * sc in back loop of each of next 2 dc, 2dc in back loop of ch sp, rep from * around until round is done, sl st to 1st sc. (48 sc) End off.

Rnd 5: Attach same color as rnd 3. Ch, 2sc in same sp * sc in next 3 sts, 2sc in next st, rep from * until round is done; join with sl st to top of beg ch 3. (60 sc) End off.

Rnd 6: Attach new color between a 2sc group, work ch 6, trc in next sc, * dc in next sc, hdc in each of next 2sc, sc in each of next 7sc, hdc in each of next 2sc, dc in next sc, trc in next sc, ch 2, trc in next sc, rep from * around; join with sl st to top of 4th ch of beg ch 6. End off.

Rnd 7: Attach new color in a ch 2 corner sp, ch 3 (counts as 1st dc), (2dc, ch 2, 3dc) in same sp, dc in each st along each side, (15 dc per side), and (3dc, ch 2, 3dc) in each corner; join with sl st to top of beg ch 3. End off.

Rnd 8: Attach new color in a ch 2 corner sp, ch (sc, ch 2, sc) in same sp, sc in each st along side, (21 sc), and (sc, 2 ch, sc) in each corner; join with sl st to top of beg ch. End off.

Rnd 9 is your joining row if you are joining~as~you~go. Join this square to bottom of day 1 square, lined up with bottom left corner ~ this square is not as wide as day 1 square, so it will not go all the way to the bottom right corner.
Rnd 9: Attach new color in a ch 2 corner sp, ch 3 (counts as 1st dc), (2dc, ch 2, 3dc) in same corner sp, * sk 4 sts, (3dc in same st, sk 3 sts) 4 times, (3dc, ch 2, 3dc) in corner sp, rep from * until round is done; join with sl st to top of beg 3 ch. End off.

Block work

Granny Sampler CAL ~ Day 3

2011-09-07T08:42:00.001-04:00

Day 3 ~ Wednesday September 7

Link to main Granny Sampler CAL page.

Link to forum to ask questions, make suggestions, or just chit~chat about this CAL.

Star Motif B~4 (9 colors)

Basic star square: Ch 3 sl st to 1st ch to form ring, ch 1.

Rnd 1: * sc in center of ring, ch 4, sc in bottom loop of 2nd ch from hook. Sc in bottom loop of each of next 2 ch sts, rep from * 4 more times (5 spoke center); join with sl st to beg sc. End off.

Rnd 2: Attach new color in center top st of any spoke, ch, sc in same sp, * sk next 3 sc, (trc, dc, trc) in next sc, sc in top of next spoke, rep from * around; join with sl st to beg sc. Do not end off.

Rnd 3: * sk next st (hdc, dc, trc, ch, trc, dc, hdc) in top of next st, sk next st, sl st in top of next st, rep from * around; join with sl st to beg st. End off.

Rnd 4: Attach next color in ch 1 back loop st at any star point. * sk next 3 sts, (trc, 3dc, trc) in next st, sk next 3 sts, sl st in back loop of ch 1 point, rep from * around, join with sl st to beg st. End off.

Rnd 5: Attach next color in any st, 2sc in each st around (60 sc); join with a sl st to first sc. End off.

Rnd 6: Note: Work on right side in top back loops only. With star point at top, count clock~wise 8sc from point (this will be in sc above 3rd dc in rnd 4). Attach next color, work ch 6, trc in next sc, * dc in next sc, hdc in each of next 2 sc, sc in each of next 7sc, hdc in each of next 2sc, dc in next sc, trc in next sc, ch 2, trc in next sc, rep from * around; join with sl st to top of 4th ch of beg ch 6. End off.

Rnd 7: Attach same color as rnd 5 in ch 2 corner sp, ch 3, sc in same sp, * sc in next 15 sts, ** (sc, ch 2, sc) in next ch 2 sp, rep from * around, ending at **; join with a sl st to beg sc. End off.

Rnd 8: Attach next color in ch 2 corner, rep rnd 7 (17 sc on each side).

Rnd 9: Attach next color in any corner sp, (ch 2, hdc, ch 2, 2hdc) in same sp, * sk next sc, 2hdc in next sc, repeat from * across to next corner. **work ( 2hdc, ch 2, 2hdc) in same corner sp, rep from ** around; join with sl st to top of beg ch 2. End off.

Rnd 10: Attach next color in any corner sp, (ch 3, 2dc, ch 2, 3dc) in same sp, *sk next 3 sts, 3dc in next st, repeat from * to corner, (3dc, ch 2, 3dc) in corner, continue with remaining sides and corners in same pattern; join with a sl st to top of beg ch 3. End off.

Day 3 square is joined to the right side of day 2 square.
Rnd 11: With last color, in ch 2 sp of previous rnd work (ch 3, 2dc, ch 2, 3dc), then work 3dc between each 3dc group to corner, 3dc in 2ch of corner, ch, ch around corner of joining square, 3dc in same corner, * ch around sp in joining square, 3dc in next space between 3dc groups, rep from * until corner is reached, 3dc in 2ch of corner, ch around corner of joining square, ch, 3dc in same corner, ** 3dc between each 3dc group on side, (3dc, ch 2, 3dc) in corner, rep from ** until round is complete; join with sl st to top of beg ch 3. End off.

Block work.

Granny Sampler CAL ~ Day 2

2011-09-05T22:04:00.002-04:00

Day 2 ~ Tuesday, September 6

Link to main Granny Sampler CAL page.

Link to forum to ask questions, make suggestions, or just chit~chat about this CAL.

Granny Square A~3, two small squares together (7 colors)

Squares (make 2)
With first color ch 4; join with a sl st to make a ring.

Rnd 1: Ch 3 (counts as dc), 2dc in center of ring, * ch 3, 3dc in center of ring, rep from * 2 more times, ch 3, join with sl st to top of beg ch 3. End off.

Rnd 2: With second color, in ch 3 sp of previous rnd work (ch 3, 2dc, ch 2, 3dc), * in next ch 3 space work (3dc, ch 3, 3dc) rep from * three times, join with sl st to top of ch 3. End off.

Rnd 3: With third color, in ch 2 sp of previous rnd work (ch 3, 2dc, ch 2, 3dc), then work 3dc between each 3dc group on sides and (3dc, ch 2, 3dc) in each corner; join with sl st to top of ch 3. End off.

To join~as~you~go, connect the two squares while working rnd 3 of the second square as follows: (changes are in italics)
Rnd 3: With third color, in ch 3 sp of previous rnd work (ch 3, 2dc, ch 2, 3dc), then work 3dc between each 3dc group on side, (3dc, ch) in corner, ch around corner of joining square,

3dc in same corner, ch around next space between 3dc groups of joining squares, 3dc in next space between 3dc groups, ch around next space between 3dc groups of joining squares,

3dc in 2ch of corner, ch around corner of joining square, ch, 3dc in same corner,

then work 3dc between each 3dc group on sides and (3dc, ch 2, 3dc) in each corner; join with sl st to top of ch 3. End off.

Boarder around joined squares ~ day 2 square connects on to the right side of day 1 square:
With last color, in ch 2 sp of previous rnd work (ch 3, 2dc, ch 2, 3dc), then work 3dc between each 3dc group on side and also in both ch sp in the center of the side, (3dc, ch 2, 3dc) in corner, 3dc between each 3dc group on side, (3dc, ch) in corner, ch around corner of joining square, 3dc in same corner, * ch around next space between 3dc groups of joining squares, 3dc in next space between 3dc groups rep from * until corner is reached, 3dc in 2ch of corner, ch around corner of joining square, ch, 3dc in same corner, 3dc between each 3dc group on side, join with sl st to top of beg ch 3. End off.

Block work.

Granny sampler CAL ~ Day 1

2011-09-04T22:41:00.005-04:00

Day 1 ~ Monday, September 5th

Link to main Granny Sampler CAL page.

Link to forum to ask questions, make suggestions, or just chit~chat about this CAL.

A few notes first.

I will be using the join~as~you~go method for this afghan. I will give instructions throughout. You do not need to join this way, but I find it faster and easier.

I have noticed some typos and needed edits, so I will post the pattern from the book with my corrections.

Also, the pattern sometimes only tells you to use a ch 3 in place of your first dc, or a ch 2 in place of your first hdc on the first round of each square. For the remaining rounds you just have to know to replace the first stitch with chains.

Lastly ~ These squares don't have fun names, just a letter and number along with a style. I'll post those in green before the instructions, in case you have the book and want to follow along.

Variation Motif F~1 (7 colors)

With first color, ch 4, sl st in 1st ch to form a ring.

Rnd 1: Ch 3 (counts as 1 dc) 3 dc in center of ring, * ch 5, 4dc in ring, rep from * 2 more times, ch 5: join with a sl st to beg dc. End off.

Rnd 2: Attach 2nd color in ch 5 sp. Work * (3dc, ch 2, 3 dc), ch, sk next 2 dc (dc, ch, dc), between second and third dc of previous rnd, ch, rep from * 3 more times; join with sl st to beg dc. End off.

Rnd 3: Attach third color in ch 2 corner sp.Work * (3dc, ch 2, 3dc) in same sp, ch 2, dc in ch sp, ch, 3dc in next ch sp, ch, dc in next ch sp, ch 2, rep from * 3 more times; join with sl st to beg dc. End off.

Rnd 4: Attach fourth color in ch 2 corner sp. Work * (3dc, ch 2, 3dc) in same sp, ch, 3 dc in next ch 2 sp, ch, 2dc in top of center of 3dc group of previous rnd, ch, 3dc in next ch 2 sp, ch, rep from * 3 more times; join with sl st to beg dc. End off.

Rnd 5: Attach fifth color in ch 2 corner sp. Work * (3dc, ch 2, 3dc) in same sp, (3dc in next ch sp) 4 times, rep from * 3 more times; join with sl st to beg dc. End off.

Rnd 6: With sixth color, in ch 2 sp of previous rnd work (ch 3, 2dc, ch 2, 3dc), then work 3dc between each 3dc group on sides and (3dc, ch 2, 3dc) in each corner; join with sl st to top of ch 3. End off.

Rnd 7: With seventh color, in ch 2 sp of previous rnd work (ch 3, 2dc, ch 2, 3dc), then work 3dc between each 3dc group on sides and (3dc, ch 2, 3dc) in each corner; join with sl st to top of ch 3. End off.

Block work ~ I do this by pinning it down in the shape I want (in this case square) and spraying it with hot water. Then I let it dry over night. The more you block through your process, the better your final piece will look!

CraftHope, CAL, WiPs and other randomness

2011-09-03T21:54:00.003-04:00

I've been been up to a lot o' knitting and crocheting and other fun stuff lately. The first I would like to let you know about is that I am all set for our Granny Afghan CAL (CrochetALong) that starts on Monday. Here is a peek at the yarns I will be using. I think these two squares will become a pillow when all is said and done.

Oh, and you should see the finished project made from this pattern by one of my favorite bloggers. Isn't is just so pretty and fun!?

I've been getting some really great reviews about my Tea Cup Bunting pattern. It makes me happy. If you want the pattern you can buy it now; it's only $2, and it is oh so fun and easy!

This is what my coffee table looked like earlier this week. Craft Hope creations exploding everywhere!

The current Craft Hope project is for Christmas in Dixie.

Their {Christmas in Dixie} plan is to distribute a storage box filled with ornaments, lights, and stockings the first weekend in November to each family. This is where we Craft Hope comes in with the stockings. We are asking you to make handmade stockings to help Christmas in Dixie fulfill their dreams of holiday boxes for the families. ~from Craft Hope

So I've been knitting away. Just basically using a bulky yarn with size 10 needles and making a large sock. I've been playing around with the stitch numbers each time, so they all are a bit different and fun.

Then there is this large fun crocheted guy.

Kyla thought it made a fun hat before it was all done.

More piles of yarn, on it's way to stockingness.

At first I thought of sewing stockings, so I grabbed some fun fabric from my stash; but then I changed my mind. On top of the pile is the top of Kyla's Faerie Flower skirt.

Here we have some testers for the petals for Kyla's skirt. Gotta get back to that.

Ahh, Vada art. She ate all the peas out of the snow peas, and put the skins one by one around Daddy's plate. She was very proud of her creation.

Well, have a lovely weekend, my friends. I hope those of you who crochet will join me in blanket~ie fun!

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WooHoo!! Out of Print!

2011-08-31T12:45:00.000-04:00

Awesome news! I have done all the legal and it turns out that this book:

...has been out of print since 1984. Therefor, I can share the patterns with you as long as I tell you where the pattern came from. You can get the book used easily enough, if you want. I got mine in the collection of awesome yarn~ie stuff my Grammy gave me.

Not the greatest snaps, I know. Oh, if you want to find it, the ISBN is 0~696~01400~9.

Why am I so happy about this you ask? Well, I have fallen for this granny sampler blanket.

I know, funky picture again. Here is the look inside.

I see such amazing potential for the future of some of the yarn from Grammy. So this coming Monday I will start a Crochet~Along! I will post the pattern for one square a day, along with picture of the finished square. Now I will be using some of the yarn from Grammy, which is mostly acrylic worsted weight, but you use what you want, and the hook that goes best with your yarn. Before Monday I will post a page about the project and toss it up over there ===> on the right side somewhere. I'll put a link to the page in each page for the Crochet~Along, and will add a link for each Crochet~Along to the page. Don't think about that too much, it's like time travel, just go with it. Please share this with anyone who may want to play along with us! I will set up something in Raverly so we can all share photos, also.

More to come on all that when I am a little more prepared. My goal for this week is to finally get my Raverly page all pretty and complete(ish).

And in the spirit of multi~tasking, cuz I seem to be good at that, here are some more vacation photos. This batch is from the Tattoo Bonding Day with some of my cousins and aunts.

The picture above is all of the tattoos that were created that day.

Here are all the feet tattoos. I kinda got lots of (un~inked) hands, too. That's my cousin Tiffany, my Aunt Nancy, and my Aunt Diane.

While we were all snapping away on the feet photos, my girls were getting very jealous. No only did no one "write on" them, but they weren't even in the photos. So the grabbed Tiffany and fixed that problem!

Here we have me and my little (well, she'll always be little to me) cousin Christine. It's funny, she will always be my little cousin Christine, but so many times I have looked up to her. She is an amazing mother, such a giving young woman, and so strong. She has been through a lot, but has always found her way through. I know some of that has to do with her awesome mother, my Aunt Diane, and the rest of our family, but most of it is her. I love that we will forever be bonded with our tattoos. It makes me so happy.

OK, enough with the sappy. Here is a closer (but fuzzy, where did my camera talents go?) shot of mine. The tree was designed by many of my family members. There was much Facebook conversations about what we wanted. I took all that and drew the tree for us. But as it turns out, only Christine and I got the tree. I think more may get it later, though. The writing says "My Beautiful Family" in Italian. Kory, out amazing tattoo artist, created the writing for us. On my tattoo the blue and purple hearts in the tree are for Doug and I, and the two deep pink hearts hanging from the tree are for Kyla and Vada. They like it. Sometimes they ask me if they can see themselves swinging on the tree on my leg. It's too cute!

Well, that's all for now folks. I am off to my finale hand appointment to make sure I am all totally healed up from the metacarpal break at the beginning of the summer. I will chat with you all again soon.

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Pretty Little Blooms!!!

2011-08-25T16:40:00.002-04:00

I have finally finish my two latest patterns. These are both inspired by a very cool old potholder pattern you can find here.

First we have this nifty Bloom Hat I made for Kyla's Flower Faerie costume.

This pattern can be found for free right here!

I made it nice and long to keep her ears warm while Trick~or~Treating.

Next I made Vada her Flower Faerie skirt.

I think this is my favorite pattern I have made so far!

It took quite some time to figure out how to make it work, but eventually I won!

This pattern can be purchased for $6.00. It can be adjusted to just about any size from infant to very large adult.

I really love the little vines and leaves at the bottom, but if you don't you can always leave them off.

Hope you all enjoy these patterns as much as me!

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Bloom Hat Tutorial

2011-08-25T16:37:00.000-04:00

Intermediate Skill Crotchet Pattern

By Jessie

JessieAtHome.com

This hat was inspired by an old potholder pattern that can be found here.

This is a slightly loose fitting hat with a tie string that tightens it to fit. It creates an adorable flower look. Make it from all one color, or change colors for each row of petals.The sample was made with Bernat Softee Baby yarn in various colors and a 3.5mm hook.

Sizes ~ Infant/Toddler (Toddler/Child, Adult)

Gauge ~ 20 hdc long by 7 rows high = 4” long by 2” high

Hat Base ~ made in one color

3ch, join into loop with a slst

Round 1: 2ch (counts as first hdc) 14hdc into loop, sl st to top of 2ch (15 sts)

*from this point forward the rest of the hat base will be worked in back loops only.

Round 2: 2ch (counts as first hdc) hdc in same st as sl st, 2hdc in rest of sts, sl st to top of 2ch (30 sts)

Round 3: 2ch (counts as first hdc) hdc in same st as sl st, *hdc in next 5 sts, 2hdc in next st* repeat between * * 3 more times, hdc in next 5 sts, sl st to top of 2ch (35 sts)

Round 4: 2ch (counts as first hdc) hdc in same st as sl st, *hdc in next 3 sts, 2hdc in next st* repeat between * * 8 more times, hdc in next st, 2hdc in next st, sl st to top of 2ch (50 sts)

Round 5: 2ch (counts as first hdc) hdc in same st as sl st, *hdc in next 4 sts, 2hdc in next st* repeat between * * 8 more times, hdc in next 4 sts, sl st to top of 2ch (60 sts)

Round 6: last shaping round for infant/toddler 2ch (counts as first hdc) hdc in same st as sl st, *hdc in next 5 sts, 2hdc in next st* repeat between * * 8 more times, hdc in next 5 sts, sl st to top of 2ch (70 sts) skip to round 11 for infant/toddler

Round 7: 2ch (counts as first hdc) hdc in same st as sl st, *hdc in next 6 sts, 2hdc in next st* repeat between * * 8 more times, hdc in next 6 sts, sl st to top of 2ch (80 sts)

Round 8: last shaping round for toddler/child 2ch (counts as first hdc) hdc in same st as sl st, *hdc in next 7 sts, 2hdc in next st* repeat between * * 8 more times, hdc in next 7 sts, sl st to top of 2ch (90 sts) skip to round 11 for toddler/child

Round 9: 2ch (counts as first hdc) hdc in same st as sl st, *hdc in next 8 sts, 2hdc in next st* repeat between * * 8 more times, hdc in next 8 sts, sl st to top of 2ch (100 sts)

Round 10: last shaping round for Adult 2ch (counts as first hdc) hdc in same st as sl st, *hdc in next 9 sts, 2hdc in next st* repeat between * * 8 more times, hdc in next 9 sts, sl st to top of 2ch (110 sts)

Round 11: 2ch (counts as first hdc), hdc in each stitch all the way around, sl st to top of 2ch.

Continue round 11 until hat base measures desired length, cut yarn and bind off. I like this hat to be very long, so it covers from the base of the head, around the ears and over the forehead. Of course I created this pattern for a Halloween costume, so I wanted it to be warm; you may want it to be shorter. Have fun with it!

Bloom

Bobble Stitch: this is basically a dc, without the last step, followed by another dc without the last step, and then they are connected. Yo, insert needle in next st, yo, pull needle through st (3 loops on hook), yo, pull through 2 loops (2 loops on hook), yo, insert needle in next st, yo, pull needle through st (4 loops on hook), yo, pull through 2 loops (3 loops on hook), yo, pull through remaining 3 loops on hook.

*from this point forward the petals will be worked in the front loops left unworked on the hat base

Petal Rounds:

Connect yarn to one of the front loops left unworked from round 1. 3ch, 7 bobble stitches across the next 14 sts, sl st to top of 3 ch, clip yarn leaving a 12” tail. Stuff with a bit of stuffing or some scrap yarn. Thread tail into a yarn needle and stitch center closed.

Connect yarn to one of the front loops left unworked in the next round, 1ch, sc in same st, * hdc in next st, 5dc in next st, hdc in next st, sc in next 2 sts* Repeat pattern between * * until there are only 4 sts left (if you have made a mistake in the base, you may find you have to fudge a bit here), hdc in next st, 5dc in next st, hdc in next st, sc in next st, sl st to first sc. Clip yarn and finish off.

Repeat previous round on front loops of the rest of the hat base.

For last round of hat base repeat the petal round on the front loops, and then again on the back loops, creating two rows of petals.

Tie string:

Chain stitch a string to your desired length. It should be long enough to wrap around the head and tie in a bow.

Weave the tie string through the hat base 2 rows up from the bottom of the hat.

Abbreviations

sl st ~ slip stitch
ch ~ chain

sc ~ single crochet
hdc ~ half double crochet
dc ~ double crochet

yo ~ yarn around hook

rnd ~ round

sp ~ space

st ~ stitch

What happens when you give a 4 year old your camera (and some vaca stuff, too)

2011-08-23T12:42:00.001-04:00

Yesterday Vada asked if she could take pictures with my camera. She then started snapping away!

First was Mommy's bag of yarn scraps for the next Craft Hope project.

Vada's craft ~ she is making an ice cream.

Kyla's Sleeping Beauty Barbie.

Mommy's crochet hook jar.

Random ball of yarn.

Block tower!!

Kyla playing Chutes and Ladders.

Chutes and Ladders spinner.

She really liked taking pictures of this game.

I think Kyla is winning.

And the DVD remote.

So here we are back at our vacation. This was our first full day in Beverly. We went to the Lobster Fest at Lynch Park.

The girls had a fun time playing with Grandpa.

Lots of beach ball fun!

The next day Grandpa bought us all tickets to see Cinderella's Wedding at the North Shore Theatre.

Everyone was very excited for the girl's first play.

After there was picture time with the cast.

Such cute little mice.

Autographs!

More autographs.

The girls with Cinderella and her Prince.

Back at the hotel, Vada wanted to "make something" with Mommy. So she decided to knit. She "knitted" an ice cream.

See, there it is all around a crochet hook. I asked if I could eat it, and she said, "No Mommy, it really just yarn.

The girls made a big pillow pile between the beds at the hotel.

Vada was wiped out!

Did I tell you that we have a little Farmers Market in town every Sunday from July through October?

Look at the yummyness!

All right, time for my scrumptious lunch. Figs and 1/4 of a giant begal from the Farmers Market, with homemade Peach jam made by my lovely friend Calla, and cream cheese (from the grocery store).

Have a wonderful day!!

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What a month!

2011-08-20T13:08:00.000-04:00

Much craziness since we last talked. Let's see here, how about a basic run down?

First, Doug went off to Pennsic XL (that's 40, not extra large). It was quite surreal to know that he was there, while I wasn't; even more so each evening when he would call. However, considering everything we had planned with my Mother's side of the family in the upcoming week, there was no sane or financially intelligent way for the rest of us to join him.

A few days later my parents came to stay with the girls and I. It was the first time I had seen my mom in a year, two years for my dad. They really enjoyed Japan, but with the time change being pretty much opposite day/night to us, it was always so hard to talk to each other. Next year they will be stationed in Germany, so communication will be much easier. My way~cool Daddy gifted me lots o' fun new toys, I mean tools, that he had in storage. Most of them will have to spend a year at my MIL's, but we *plan* on buying a house next year, so we will have room for them then.

A few more days and we loaded up into Thor and Dad's gold Volvo, and off to Beverly, MA (right next to Salem) we went. That is where my wonderful mother is from. We were there for a week ~Wed. to Wed., Doug flew in from Pennsic for a long weekend in the middle. While there we had my Grammy's 80th birthday party, many fun gatherings at other family member's homes, and even a very interesting sisters/aunts/nieces/cousins tattoo adventure day. My wicked~nifty Grammy gave me tons o' yarn and patterns and knitty goodness that she no longer uses, also. Don't worry, more snaps are coming.

All packed up, back home we came. First Mom, the twins, and I, then Dad, and finally Doug. Much fun was had here in Jersey.

Then Mom and Dad had to go, so sad, but Germany was calling.

That was all the fun crazy, but the past week has not been so much with the fun. Just as Mom and Dad left, I started feeling cruddy; Doug had brought home the Pennsic Plague (AKA really nasty cold). Then Kyla got it. Then my ears started hurting ~ like someone~shoving~a~hot~poker~in~my~ears hurting. So off to the Dr I went. Turns out the nasty cold really was just a nasty cold, but I had to be special and added duel ear infections on top of it. Most likely I had the ear infections first. The left one was so bad that my ear drum tore. Woo Hoo, off to the ear/nose/throat Dr. for me this Monday. My regular Dr. did give me some antibiotics to help with the ears until I see the specialist, and the pain is much less now. We are all on the mend, and a lot less miserable.

So, that is where I have been since we last chatted. I have much planned for you, my friends, in the next few months. A few free tutorials from the faerie costumes and from some out~of~print and past copy write patterns from my Grammy, and some more faerie costume parts patterns as gifts with donations. One project I am beyond excited about is a granny square sampler afghan I want to use for a crochet~along in Sept/Oct. I just need to do one more check to be sure that the book has been OOP for long enough that it is legal for me to share the patterns. I will post the book info, as you can still find it used and there are tons of fun patterns inside, but if the crochet~along is legal, I will scan or type the patterns for all to see here as we go. I can't wait!

I will be posting more pictures of the last month's festivities as I find the moments. Hope you have enjoyed what you've seen so far!

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Peek

2011-07-29T19:17:00.001-04:00

Just dropping in to give you a quick peek at what I've been up to as of late.

I made these arm warmers many moons ago, but they kept slipping down. The top ribbing was only about 1/2", just not long enough. So I undid the top 4" of knitting, and redid it all in a 2k2p rib. Much better, not more slipping. I have a feeling they will get much more use this fall and winter now that they stay up!

Here is the very beginning of my current project. One that will encompass many pieces, and take quite some time.

Some of it is very tedious work, but it will be worth it.

I know, it's sideways, but I'm suffering from an attack of the lazies. It's just an idea of what I will be making; just a 30 second sketch of one idea. The girls will be flower faeries for Halloween. They will each be a bit different. The costumes will have many parts, most of which will be useful again as regular clothing or accessories. They are having fun watching as the faeries appear!

Have a nice weekend, my friends.

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